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Covid: Scotland facing 'tsunami' of Omicron cases Covid: Scotland facing 'tsunami' of Omicron cases
(33 minutes later)
Scotland is facing a "tsunami" of Omicron cases, with the variant likely to replace Delta as the dominant form of the virus within days, Nicola Sturgeon has warned.Scotland is facing a "tsunami" of Omicron cases, with the variant likely to replace Delta as the dominant form of the virus within days, Nicola Sturgeon has warned.
The first minister said the 110 cases that have been recorded in the country are only the "tip of the iceberg".The first minister said the 110 cases that have been recorded in the country are only the "tip of the iceberg".
She warned that a new wave of the pandemic was about to begin. And she predicted that a new wave of the pandemic was about to begin.
And she announced changes to self-isolation guidelines, and urged people to cancel Christmas parties. She also announced changes to self-isolation guidelines, and urged people to cancel work Christmas parties.
Ms Sturgeon said that, from tomorrow, all household contacts of any Covid cases should isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status and even if they initially get a negative PCR test.Ms Sturgeon said that, from tomorrow, all household contacts of any Covid cases should isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status and even if they initially get a negative PCR test.
Non-household contacts can leave isolation if they have had a negative PCR test and have had two vaccine doses.Non-household contacts can leave isolation if they have had a negative PCR test and have had two vaccine doses.
'Non-stop cancellations' after Christmas party plea'Non-stop cancellations' after Christmas party plea
Covid in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?Covid in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?
What are the Covid rules in Scotland?What are the Covid rules in Scotland?
Ms Sturgeon said early action was needed, with Omicron cases rising "exponentially" in recent days, and that she could not rule out further measures having to be introduced. The first minister said early action was needed, with Omicron cases rising "exponentially" in recent days, and that she could not rule out further measures having to be introduced.
She said cases of the new variant were doubling every two to three days - the fastest growth seen during the whole pandemic - which would potentially result in Omicron overtaking Delta by the beginning of next week.She said cases of the new variant were doubling every two to three days - the fastest growth seen during the whole pandemic - which would potentially result in Omicron overtaking Delta by the beginning of next week.
The R number - essentially the rate at which the virus is transmitted - has been hovering at about one in Scotland recently, but is now expected to rise to "well over two and possibly closer to 3".The R number - essentially the rate at which the virus is transmitted - has been hovering at about one in Scotland recently, but is now expected to rise to "well over two and possibly closer to 3".
Scotland has recorded a further 5,018 cases of the virus in the past 24 hours - a sharp rise on the recent daily average of about 2,800 cases.Scotland has recorded a further 5,018 cases of the virus in the past 24 hours - a sharp rise on the recent daily average of about 2,800 cases.
However, the number of people is hospital with the virus has fallen slightly to 573, with 40 patient in intensive care. However, the number of people is hospital with the virus has fallen slightly to 573, with 40 patients in intensive care.
The isolation rules have been tightened in response to the surge in the number of cases
Ms Sturgeon said it was hoped - although not known - that Omicron may cause less severe illness on average than Delta, despite being much more transmittable.Ms Sturgeon said it was hoped - although not known - that Omicron may cause less severe illness on average than Delta, despite being much more transmittable.
But she said that even if this is true, the surge in cases that was now "virtually certain" would still result in a "massive" number of people needing hospital care.But she said that even if this is true, the surge in cases that was now "virtually certain" would still result in a "massive" number of people needing hospital care.
And she said the numbers of people having to isolate after becoming infected, even mildly, would put a "significant strain" on the economy and public services. And she said the numbers of people having to isolate after becoming infected, even mildly, would put a significant strain on the economy and public services.
How can I tell I have Omicron?
She added: "It also means that the rapid rise in Omicron infections could put significant additional pressure on hospitals and other health and care services, close to the point in the winter when they are already likely to be at peak pressure."
ScotRail has already had to cancel 60 train services due to staff shortages as a result of Covid, while many staff at an accident and emergency unit in Lanarkshire are also having to isolate after attending a social event and becoming infected.ScotRail has already had to cancel 60 train services due to staff shortages as a result of Covid, while many staff at an accident and emergency unit in Lanarkshire are also having to isolate after attending a social event and becoming infected.
The first minister urged everyone to follow the existing Covid guidelines, and stressed that everyone who had been working from home at the start of the pandemic should be doing so again.The first minister urged everyone to follow the existing Covid guidelines, and stressed that everyone who had been working from home at the start of the pandemic should be doing so again.
The isolation rules have been tightened in response to the surge in the number of cases
Ms Sturgeon was speaking as the Scottish government published modelling which said infections could rise as high as 25,000 a day by 20 December in the worst case scenario.
The most-likely range of the worst-case scenario will see cases hit a little over 15,000 a day, while in the best-case scenario, cases will peak at just over 1,250.
It comes the day after Public Health Scotland urged people to cancel Christmas parties due to the rising number of Omicron cases.
Ms Sturgeon said she was focusing on work events in particular as they were resulting in rapid spread of this infection which could pose a big risk to workplaces.
She said everyone should "be thinking a bit more carefully about unnecessary contacts, especially in crowded places", and said people should use "common sense" in deciding whether to meet up.
"My advice would be to consider deferring work Christmas events," she added
"If they are small events that you wish to go ahead with, make sure you and everybody else in the group is testing beforehand."