Confirmed Omicron case numbers in Scotland and where they have been found

Omicron has now become the dominant Covid variant after overtaking Delta earlier this month.

The virus strain, which contains a ‘large number’ of mutations, is said to be driving a recent spike in cases numbers in Scotland and elsewhere across the globe.

Experts have recently found that the effectiveness from two doses of the coronavirus vaccine may drop slightly when it comes up against Omicron.

But a promising Scottish study has shown that the risk of hospitalisation for those who have caught Omicron is two-thirds lower than the Delta variant.

A recent study has suggested that the risk of hospitalisation from Omicron may be two thirds lower than Delta (AFP via Getty Images)

The report by experts at Edinburgh and Strathclyde universities was based only 15 people in hospital and the work has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Public Health Scotland officials have labeled the findings as a “qualified good news stories” but has warned Scots not to ‘get ahead of themselves’.

Dr Jim McMenamin, the national Covid incident director for PHS, said: “The potentially serious impact of Omicron on the population cannot be underestimated.

“And a smaller proportion of a much greater number of cases that might ultimately require treatment can still mean a substantial number of people who may experience severe Covid infections that could lead to potential hospitalisation.”

Nicola Sturgeon also described the study as “encouraging”.

How many confirmed Omicron cases in Scotland?

The latest Scottish Government data shows that the number of confirmed Omicron cases currently stands at 2,326 - 674 of those were recorded by health officials over the last 24 hours.

But the actual figure is said to be much higher than that, with positive tests being sent off to labs for additional testing for what is called an S gene dropout - which is one of main characteristics of Omicron.

Of the 6,215 new Covid infection identified over the past 24-hours, more than 72 per cent of those cases are suspected to be Omicron for that reason.

Where has Omicron been found?

Confirmed cases of Omicron have been found in every NHS health board area - apart from Shetland and the Western Isles.

The greatest number of confirmed cases has been found in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, followed by Lothian and Lanarkshire.

Here are the number of Omicron cases for every health board area in Scotland.

1. Greater Glasgow and Clyde - 722
2. Lothian - 542
3. Lanarkshire - 407
4. Ayrshire and Arran - 165
5. Fife - 129
6. Forth Valley - 119
7. Highland - 86
8. Tayside - 71
9. Grampian - 49
10. Borders - 17
11. Dumfries and Galloway - 17
12. Orkney - 2

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