This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59560968

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Covid in Scotland: More schools and firms 'will face Omicron closures' Covid in Scotland: More schools and firms 'will face Omicron closures'
(about 8 hours later)
More schools and businesses will close in the lead up to Christmas as health experts "hit Omicron hard", Scotland's national clinical director has said.More schools and businesses will close in the lead up to Christmas as health experts "hit Omicron hard", Scotland's national clinical director has said.
A primary school in Renfrewshire has already been forced to shut for a week after a suspected outbreak of the coronavirus variant. Primary schools in Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire have already been forced to close after suspected outbreaks of the coronavirus variant.
The decision was taken because of the need for staff to isolate. The decisions were taken because of the need for staff to isolate.
Prof Jason Leitch told the BBC he expected such closures to be repeated across the country.Prof Jason Leitch told the BBC he expected such closures to be repeated across the country.
Suspected Omicron outbreak closes primary schoolSuspected Omicron outbreak closes primary school
Covid in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?Covid in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?
Speaking on the Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: "This is how we've dealt with each of the variants as they have arisen. Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: "This is how we've dealt with each of the variants as they have arisen.
"This is the fourth major variant and, as they become known, you have to really hit them with outbreak management techniques."This is the fourth major variant and, as they become known, you have to really hit them with outbreak management techniques.
"Not whole population techniques, we put a ring of steel around those individual cases and that of course causes more isolation. "Not whole population techniques, we put a ring of steel around those individual cases and that of course causes more isolation. We can't do that forever, and we changed it for the Delta variant eventually. But we have to do it to try and slow it down.
"We can't do that forever, and we changed it for the Delta variant eventually. But we have to do it to try and slow it down.
"That's why, unfortunately, there will be occasions where a hospitality setting or a school or an office will have to close because of Omicron for a little while until we know more.""That's why, unfortunately, there will be occasions where a hospitality setting or a school or an office will have to close because of Omicron for a little while until we know more."
On Tuesday it emerged St John's Primary School in Hamilton would be closed for the rest of the week.
A letter to parents and carers, seen by BBC Scotland, said NHS Lanarkshire was carrying out contact tracing after cases "which are likely to be the new omicron variant" were detected in the school community.
The school plans to reopen on Monday "subject to public health advice".
On Monday, the Scottish government confirmed 23 new Omicron cases, bringing the total to 71.On Monday, the Scottish government confirmed 23 new Omicron cases, bringing the total to 71.
Prof Leitch said closing Todholm Primary School in Paisley was "unfortunate but the right thing to do" as Covid rules across the UK changed last week. Prof Leitch earlier said closing Todholm Primary School in Paisley was "unfortunate but the right thing to do" as Covid rules across the UK changed last week.
It meant all contacts of new variant cases have to self-isolate, even if fully jabbed. It meant all contacts of new variant cases had to self-isolate, even if fully jabbed.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to update MSPs on the latest developments at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon updated MSPs on the latest developments at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon.
She has warned she expects to see "perhaps significantly more" Omicron cases. She said Scotland's Covid-19 restrictions would be reviewed on a daily basis due to a "rapid increase in cases of the Omicron variant".
Prof Leitch does not expect her to make any major announcements at this stage. Prof Leitch said: "Omicron is an unknown. We don't know if it gives you a worse disease or if it somehow escapes the vaccine a little. Therefore, health protection have been much more cautious with it.
He said: "Omicron is an unknown. We don't know if it gives you a worse disease or if it somehow escapes the vaccine a little. Therefore, health protection have been much more cautious with it.
"We already know it appears to be somewhat more transmissable - we didn't know that 10 days ago."We already know it appears to be somewhat more transmissable - we didn't know that 10 days ago.
"We know for Delta, 3% of cases end up in hospital. Now, for Omicron, is it six or is it two or is it three? We simply do not know."We know for Delta, 3% of cases end up in hospital. Now, for Omicron, is it six or is it two or is it three? We simply do not know.
"Until we know, we can't give definitive Omicron advice to the first minister, who then can't give definitive Omicron advice to the population.""Until we know, we can't give definitive Omicron advice to the first minister, who then can't give definitive Omicron advice to the population."
Ethnic minority groupsEthnic minority groups
Meanwhile, a study at the University of Aberdeen suggests "mistrust" of official agencies is among the main factors influencing the low Covid-19 vaccine uptake in ethnic minority groups.Meanwhile, a study at the University of Aberdeen suggests "mistrust" of official agencies is among the main factors influencing the low Covid-19 vaccine uptake in ethnic minority groups.
The report also pointed to "lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate information" as well as inconvenient locations and timings of vaccine appointments.The report also pointed to "lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate information" as well as inconvenient locations and timings of vaccine appointments.
Uptake of the Covid vaccine is lower among people over 50 of African heritage in Scotland than in any other ethnic group, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS) figures.Uptake of the Covid vaccine is lower among people over 50 of African heritage in Scotland than in any other ethnic group, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS) figures.
In the under-50s, the uptake is lowest in the Caribbean or Black group.In the under-50s, the uptake is lowest in the Caribbean or Black group.
Prof Shaun Treweek, who led the study, said: "Any approach to increasing vaccine uptake in ethnic minority groups needs to consider the factors and strategies we list.Prof Shaun Treweek, who led the study, said: "Any approach to increasing vaccine uptake in ethnic minority groups needs to consider the factors and strategies we list.
"Moreover, it is essential that organisations promoting vaccine uptake work with ethnic minority communities and organisations to tailor strategies appropriately.""Moreover, it is essential that organisations promoting vaccine uptake work with ethnic minority communities and organisations to tailor strategies appropriately."
RULES: What are the restrictions in your area?RULES: What are the restrictions in your area?
EASING: What are the current rules?EASING: What are the current rules?
CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland?CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland?
WHO? The people who have died with Covid-19WHO? The people who have died with Covid-19