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Covid in Scotland: People urged to cancel Christmas parties Covid in Scotland: People urged to cancel Christmas parties
(32 minutes later)
Public Health Scotland said a number of Omicron Covid outbreaks were linked to partiesPublic Health Scotland said a number of Omicron Covid outbreaks were linked to parties
People in Scotland have been urged to cancel Christmas parties due to the rising number of cases of the Omicron Covid variant.People in Scotland have been urged to cancel Christmas parties due to the rising number of cases of the Omicron Covid variant.
Public Health Scotland said a number of outbreaks caused by Omicron were linked to Christmas parties.Public Health Scotland said a number of outbreaks caused by Omicron were linked to Christmas parties.
Dr Nick Phin, its Director of Public Health Science, said postponing plans would help to "protect ourselves".Dr Nick Phin, its Director of Public Health Science, said postponing plans would help to "protect ourselves".
The first minister said earlier this week that she expected Omicron cases to rise rapidly in Scotland.The first minister said earlier this week that she expected Omicron cases to rise rapidly in Scotland.
One case of the new variant was recorded on Thursday, taking the total to 109, according to the latest figures - although the actual number of cases is believed to be much higher.One case of the new variant was recorded on Thursday, taking the total to 109, according to the latest figures - although the actual number of cases is believed to be much higher.
Covid in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?Covid in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?
Covid: Is an office Christmas party too risky?Covid: Is an office Christmas party too risky?
Scotland had 16 coronavirus deaths and 3,196 new cases in the past 24 hours.Scotland had 16 coronavirus deaths and 3,196 new cases in the past 24 hours.
Public Health Scotland said early evidence suggested that the Omicron variant is much more transmissible that previous strains of the virus. The Public Health Scotland (PHS) announcement came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press briefing on Tuesday that: "We don't want people to cancel such events."
PHS said early evidence suggested that the Omicron variant is much more transmissible that previous strains of the virus.
Dr Phin added: "The impact of this transmissibility has been seen in recent weeks, with a number of Omicron outbreaks linked to parties.Dr Phin added: "The impact of this transmissibility has been seen in recent weeks, with a number of Omicron outbreaks linked to parties.
"We still need to learn more about the severity of disease caused by Omicron and the effectiveness of vaccines, but there are important things that we can do to help protect ourselves and our families now.""We still need to learn more about the severity of disease caused by Omicron and the effectiveness of vaccines, but there are important things that we can do to help protect ourselves and our families now."
Dr Phin said that to minimise the further spread of the virus, Public Health Scotland is asking people to "defer their Christmas parties to another time". Dr Phin said that to minimise the further spread of the virus, PHS is asking people to "defer their Christmas parties to another time".
"I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last twenty months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones," he said."I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last twenty months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones," he said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press briefing on Tuesday that: "We don't want people to cancel such events." UK Hospitality Scotland said the announcement had come "like a bolt out of the blue".
Executive director Leon Thompson told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme: "There was no prior notification that Public Health Scotland would be issuing this plea to the public to cancel going out for Christmas.
"This will be setting our members reeling this evening as they will be listening to their phones ringing and seeing all the cancellations coming in by email as we speak."
Less than an hour before the announcement, the Scottish government's National Clinical Director Prof Jason Leitch told Radio Clyde that people could still hold parties if they "do it carefully".
He said: "The present guidance today is to be careful - don't cancel your arrangements but think about testing,
"Think about vaccination and think about following the guidance, so wearing a face covering, washing your hands and all those things.
"But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy your Christmas."
Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give a televised update on Omicron in Scotland on Friday.Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give a televised update on Omicron in Scotland on Friday.