Boris Johnson is set to hold a press conference later today as the first cases of the new Covid-19 variant have been identified in the UK.
The Prime Minister is expected to make an urgent statement at 5pm, along with Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid earlier said the cases of the Omicron variant were found in Nottingham and Chelmsford, and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa, HullLive reports.
However, in a statement later issued by Essex County Council, bosses said a single case was found in Brentwood - and not in Chelmsford as the government initially reported.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the individuals that have tested positive - and all members of their households - are being re-tested and told to self-isolate while further testing and contact tracing is under way.
READ MORE:
"The UK Health Security Agency is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to have been infectious,” the department said.
“In response to the developing situation, the UK is taking decisive action to protect public health. Confirmed cases and contacts are being followed up and requested to isolate and get tested as necessary.”
The government has ordered enhanced testing in the surrounding areas.
The UK has banned travel to and from six southern African nations after the discovery of the variant last week.
There are fears it could spread more rapidly than previous variants and defeat vaccines because of its high number of mutations.
To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.
