Posted by There have been six confirmed cases of the variant in Scotland, in Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Nicola Sturgeon refuses to rule out if omicron Covid variant was first transmitted at Cop26
Nicola Sturgeon has refused to rule out the possibility that the omicron Covid variant was first transmitted in Scotland during Cop26.
The Scottish First Minister said it was “not impossible, but it’s also perhaps not probable” that cases of the variant, first detected in South Africa, started to spread in the community during the climate change summit, which was held in Glasgow.
Speaking during a press conference with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, Ms Sturgeon said: “We have no information right now that any of these cases are linked to Cop, however, as I said in my opening statement – the contact tracing is ongoing, so nor can I stand here and give you a 100 per cent guarantee that that is not the case.
“I think though that if you consider the timelines of Cop, it is not impossible, but it’s perhaps not probable that there are connections to Cop. Cop ended on the 12 November, had we had this variant circulating undetected in Scotland from back then, I think our surveillance efforts right now may be showing more cases and more widespread community transmission.”
Mr Drakeford said there was an extensive PCR testing programme and sequencing in place at Cop, but said “at this moment in time… there’s no evidence” that current variant cases are linked to the summit.Advertisement
There have been six confirmed cases of the variant in Scotland: four in Lanarkshire and two in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Those people affected are isolating but none are in hospital.
Ms Sturgeon said contact tracing is continuing in relation to the six omicron cases identified in Scotland.
She said: “At this stage we know that not all of them have any recent travel history to or known links with others who have travelled to the countries in southern Africa where the variant was originally detected.
“This suggests that there might already be some community transmission of this variant in Scotland but again let me stress there is no evidence yet that this is sustained nor any evidence from the enhanced surveillance that it is widespread at this stage.”
The two leaders have also written to Boris Johnson proposing stricter travel restrictions to help curb the spread of the new variant and have asked the Prime Minister to hold an urgent Cobra meeting with leaders of the four UK nations.
They have proposed that arrivals to the UK must self-isolate for eight days, with tests on day two and day eight. Currently, travellers arriving in the UK from 4am on Tuesday must take a PCR test by the end of their second arrival day and isolate until they receive a negative test result.