NHS Lanarkshire’s chief executive together with North and South Lanarkshire Council bosses are urging locals to protect vital services from Omicron.
The new Covid variant has been spreading throughout the country at a rapid rate, with scientists believing Omicron may spread three times faster than the Delta variant.
Heather Knox, NHS Lanarkshire chief executive, said: “The emergence of the new Omicron variant in Lanarkshire is already having a negative impact on many of our health services and some schools have also been adversely affected.
"We are urging people to pay particular attention to staying Covid-19 safe during the Christmas and New Year festive season.”
People can help to minimise the further spread of Covid-19 by testing regularly with a Lateral Flow Device, not attending social events if you or someone you live with has Covid symptoms, limit the number of social contacts you have, continue to wear a face covering, wash your hands and arrange a booster dose of the vaccine.
Some health and local authority services, including schools, have already had to close or reduce services due to high numbers of staff members contracting Covid-19 or having to isolate because they have been a close contact of someone who has been identified as a case of Covid-19.
Unfortunately, some of the issues have arisen following parties and social events.
Des Murray, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We have managed to continue delivering our services throughout the last 20 months with as little disruption as possible.
“A handful of schools have started to see the impact of the new variant and this is likely to increase, but we do have digital learning and other measures in place to assist with education.
“However we do not want to reduce other services, particularly over the festive season, and that means we all have to continue to be vigilant and practise the basic health protection measures, including working from home if possible.
“If we all make the effort we will get through this.”
Paul Manning, depute chief executive of South Lanarkshire Council, added: “The response of our residents and communities to the pandemic has been magnificent – both in terms of working with the council to support others but also by looking out for everyone’s health by following restrictions and getting vaccinations.
“But infection rates remain too high and now we have the additional risk from the new Omicron variant, so we urge everyone to continue to be vigilant, to take care of themselves and others, and to get their vaccinations and boosters.”