Two people infected with the mutant Omicron coronavirus strain have been identified in the UK.
Health Minister Sajid Javid confirmed the news on Saturday afternoon and said the cases are connected with the individuals having travel connections to southern Africa.
They are currently self-isolating and targeted testing put in place in the areas where the cases were discovered - Chelmsford and Nottingham.
The UK Government chief tweeted: "We have been made aware by @UKHSA of two UK cases of the Omicron variant. The two cases are linked and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa.
"These individuals are self-isolating with their households while further testing and contact tracing is underway.
"As a precaution we are rolling out additional targeted testing in the affected areas - Nottingham and Chelmsford - and sequencing all positive cases.
"This is a fast-moving situation and we are taking decisive steps to protect public health.
"We are also adding Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola to the travel red list - effective from 4am Sunday.
"If you have returned from there in the last 10 days you must isolate and get PCR tests. And if you are eligible for your booster jab - now is the time to get it.”
The discovery of the first cases of the variant this week saw six nations added to the UK red list.
The World Health Organisation warned that preliminary evidence suggests the variant, which the organisation named Omicron, has an increased risk of reinfection and may spread more rapidly than other strains.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there is "huge international concern" surrounding the strain after banning flights from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia to limit its spread.
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