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Covid: Two cases of new variant Omicron detected in UK | |
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Sajid Javid: We won't hesitate to take further action | |
Two people in the UK have been found to be infected with the new Covid variant, Omicron, the health secretary has said. | Two people in the UK have been found to be infected with the new Covid variant, Omicron, the health secretary has said. |
Sajid Javid said the UK Health Security Agency had detected cases in Chelmsford, Essex, and in Nottingham. | Sajid Javid said the UK Health Security Agency had detected cases in Chelmsford, Essex, and in Nottingham. |
He said the cases were linked to travel in southern Africa and they and their households were self-isolating as more tests and contact tracing take place. | |
The new variant has also been identified in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel. | The new variant has also been identified in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel. |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be holding a press conference at Downing Street later with the chief scientific advisor to the government, Sir Patrick Vallance, and the UK's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty. | |
How worrying is the new Covid variant? | How worrying is the new Covid variant? |
Do we need new vaccines yet? | Do we need new vaccines yet? |
New Covid variant not a disaster - Sage scientist | New Covid variant not a disaster - Sage scientist |
South Africans fear impact of new variant measures | South Africans fear impact of new variant measures |
The new Omicron variant was first reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa on Wednesday. | |
Countries around the world are currently racing to introduce travel bans and restrictions on southern African countries in an effort to contain Omicron's spread. | Countries around the world are currently racing to introduce travel bans and restrictions on southern African countries in an effort to contain Omicron's spread. |
Ten countries are now on the UK's travel red list meaning, from Sunday at 04:00 GMT, all arrivals will have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days. | Ten countries are now on the UK's travel red list meaning, from Sunday at 04:00 GMT, all arrivals will have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days. |
On Friday, the UK placed South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini on the list. | On Friday, the UK placed South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini on the list. |
In his announcement on Saturday, the health secretary said Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia would be added. | |
Mr Javid said: "If anyone has travelled to these four countries or any of the other red-listed countries in the last four days then they must self isolate and take PCR tests." | |
He said: "We've always been very clear that we won't hesitate to take further action if that is what is required. | |
"Today I can announce one thing that we are doing immediately is carrying out targeted testing and sequencing of positive cases in the two areas that are affected." | "Today I can announce one thing that we are doing immediately is carrying out targeted testing and sequencing of positive cases in the two areas that are affected." |
The Department of Health says testing is being carried out at locations where the positive cases were likely to have been infectious. | |
"Confirmed cases and contacts are being followed up and requested to isolate and get tested as necessary," it said. | |
A "variant of concern" is the World Health Organization's top category of worrying Covid variants. | A "variant of concern" is the World Health Organization's top category of worrying Covid variants. |
The decision adds weight to the mounting scientific worry about the potential of this new variant, but it doesn't change any of the facts. | The decision adds weight to the mounting scientific worry about the potential of this new variant, but it doesn't change any of the facts. |
The variant has an astounding collection of mutations which are thought to increase its ability to spread and bypass some, but not all, of the protection from vaccines. | The variant has an astounding collection of mutations which are thought to increase its ability to spread and bypass some, but not all, of the protection from vaccines. |
However, we still don't have the clear real-world data. | However, we still don't have the clear real-world data. |
We don't know for sure that it spreads faster, makes vaccines or drugs less effective or whether it leads to more severe disease. | We don't know for sure that it spreads faster, makes vaccines or drugs less effective or whether it leads to more severe disease. |
The health secretary said the UK vaccine rollout programme was now "even more important". | |
"We know there's this new variant out there. We don't know enough about it yet but from what we do know, the protections that we have - especially the vaccines - are hugely important," he said. | |
Asked about potential changes in Covid restrictions, Mr Javid said: "We will do whatever is necessary to protect the progress we have made as a country. We've come a long way since the summer and we keep all of this under review and if we need to take further action, we will." | |
The chief medical officer said the UK would be working closely with the international community to understand any possible increase in transmissibility or resistance to vaccines. | |
Prof Whitty said: "It is important that everyone takes sensible precautions - get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when asked, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, get your vaccine and boosters as soon as you can." | |
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