Six cases of the ultra-transmissible Omicron variant have been detected in Scotland today.
Gatekeepers News reports that officials disclosed this during a G7 meeting which was called amid rising concern over the mutant strain.
The officials who warned against the variant made it known that the UK probed up to 225 ‘possible’ cases of Omicron
Scottish health authorities said four of the cases were spotted in Lanarkshire, and two more were in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. It is unclear if these are linked to travel to southern Africa.
It comes as UK authorities probe some 75 ‘probable’ cases of B.1.1.529, its scientific name, and up to 150 possible cases of the mutant strain.
Ministers rushed out guidance late last night for pupils in year seven and above to wear face masks in school communal areas such as playgrounds.
But some experts today called for them to be used again in classrooms, saying the virus ‘doesn’t know the difference’ between the corridor and the classroom.
All adults are to be offered a coronavirus booster jab to help stop the Omicron variant.
The vaccines watchdog will today approve third doses for the over-18s, with a Whitehall source saying: ‘We want to put the booster programme on steroids.’
The move came amid reports that UK labs are probing 75 ‘probable’ omicron samples and up to 150 ‘possible’ others.
Ministers have already announced the introduction tomorrow of fresh virus restrictions, including mandatory facemasks in shops and new rules on self-isolation.
