Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons yesterday, Monday 14 December, that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 now accounts for around 20% of cases across the UK.
However, if you test positive for coronavirus, is it possible to tell which variant of the virus you have caught?
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The answer? It depends on a whole host of factors, including the type of test you've taken and where the results are being processed.
A rapid lateral flow home test can only detect whether you have Covid or not and is unable to distinguish between variants.
However, PCR tests, which you are legally required to take if you test positive on a LFT, are sent to a laboratory for analysis and could tell you which variant you have.
PCR test results are subjected to a full genetic analysis, which takes between four and five days.
Something called the spike, or S, gene is usually not detected in Omicron infections - but not all 'S-gene dropouts' are guaranteed to be Omicron so full genomic sequencing is required in order for confirmation.
Only at least a third of UK labs have the sufficient technology to detect suspected Omicron infections so this means that cases may be identified more quickly in certain parts of the UK.
If it is suspected that you have tested positive for the Omicron variant following analysis of your PCR test, you will be made aware of this by NHS contact tracers.
