Skip to main content

Two cases of Omicron variant detected in Britain

Two cases of the new coronavirus variant, named ‘Omicron’ by the WHO, have been detected in Britain.

Two cases of new coronavirus variant have been detected in Britain. [Image: Reuters]

Two cases of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been detected in Britain, health minister Sajid Javid said on Saturday.

“Late last night I was contacted by the UK Health Security Agency. I was informed that they have detected two cases of this new variant, Omicron, in the United Kingdom. One in Chelmsford, the other in Nottingham,” he said in a broadcast clip.

The two individuals and all members of their households are being re-tested and told to self-isolate while further testing and contact tracing is done, the health ministry said.

ALSO READ: ‘New variant more transmissible, could escape immunity’: Dr Gagandeep Kang on ‘Omicron’

England will also add Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola to its travel “red list” from 0400 GMT on Sunday, meaning British and Irish residents who arrive in the country must quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days. Non-residents will be refused entry.

That list already contained Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty will hold a news conference later on Saturday “to set out further measures”, Javid said.

ALSO READ: Two South Africa returnees test Covid positive in Bengaluru, official says cases Delta, not Omicron

Click here for IndiaToday.in’s complete coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Naomi Osaka pulls out from next month’s Indian Wells tourney

Naomi Osaka, who said at the US Open that she planned to take a break from tennis, has officially pulled out of next month’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Indian Wells is scheduled for October 4-17 after twice being delayed during the coronavirus pandemic. Naomi Osaka pulls out from next month’s Indian Wells tourney (Image Courtesy: Reuters)HIGHLIGHTSOsaka has struggled on court since she withdrew from the French Open in MayThe 23-year-old Japanese player won her first WTA title at Indian Wells in 2018Naomi Osaka pulls out from next month’s Indian Wells tourneyJapanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Following her loss at the US Open earlier this month, she announced that she would be taking another indefinite break from tennis. The four-time Grand Slam champion fell in the third round of the year’s final major and afterwards told reporters she needed the break to concentrate on her mental health.Osaka has stru...
Post a Comment
Read more

SAI to finalise new core group of athletes for Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s next cycle in October

The SAI said it is holding discussions with the National Sports Federations to finalise the fresh list of athletes in the TOPS core group ahead of its meeting next month. The Developmental Group of TOPS was added last year to groom promising athletes for future Olympics (SAI Media Photo)HIGHLIGHTSInclusion of India’s elite athletes in TOPS core group is being discussed with NSFs: SAIIndia achieved unprecedented success in the Tokyo Olympics this year by winning 7 medalsTarget Olympic Podium Scheme was established in 2014 to funding and support to Olympic-bound athletesA new core group of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for the next Olympic cycle will be drawn up from among the country”s elite athletes after the earlier one was dissolved at the end of Tokyo Games, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Wednesday. India achieved unprecedented success in the Tokyo Games this year by winning seven medals, including a historic gold in athletics, mainly due to the fun...
Post a Comment
Read more