People in West Lothian are being urged to scrap Christmas parties as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to make an announcement today about more restrictions to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
Public Health Scotland released a statement last night, saying given the number of Covid-19 outbreaks - particularly those caused by Omicron - that are being linked to Christmas parties, people should defer such parties at this time.
Nicola Sturgeon is also expected to announce more restrictions during a televised briefing today.
Yesterday it was reported that dozens of staff at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride are now having to isolate after cases of omicron were linked to a Christmas party.
Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science and Medical Director, PHS said: “There is much that we still need to learn about Omicron, but early evidence suggests that this new covid variant is much more transmissible. The impact of this transmissibility has been seen in recent weeks, with a number of Omicron outbreaks linked to parties.
“We still need to learn more about the severity of disease caused by Omicron and the effectiveness of vaccines, but there are important things that we can do to help protect ourselves and our families now. To help minimise the further spread of Covid-19, and Omicron in particular, I would strongly urge people to defer their Christmas parties to another time.
“I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last twenty months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Covid cases in West Lothian remain high, at 728 over the last seven days.
The neighbourhoods with the highest cases are: Bathgate, Westerinch and Inchross (57 as of December 6), Armadale South (35), Carmondean and Eliburn North (33), East Calder (33), Whitburn, Croftmalloch and Greenrigg (32) and Linlithgow South (29).
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