Omicron variant detected in Wandsworth

Omicron, the new variant of coronavirus has been detected in Wandsworth today (Monday November 29).

Bringing the total number of cases in the UK to 11, however none of them are in hospital.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is leading the ongoing investigation into a confirmed Omicron variant case in Wandsworth and the council are working closely with them to ensure that all appropriate actions to identify close contacts and testing are completed.

Shannon Katiyo, Wandsworth's director of public health said: "I want to reassure people in Wandsworth that we have good measures in place for dealing with variants and these are working well.

"The Council will continue to do everything we can to keep residents safe and encourage them to maintain good hand hygiene, wear face coverings when required, get tested, and get vaccinated."

The first two cases of the new variant were identified in the UK on Saturday, one in Chelmsford and one in Nottingham.

They were linked to travel to Southern Africa.

The Omicron variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome.

These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility.

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