An Omicron Covid-19 case has been reported in a primary school for the first time.
All year five students, aged nine or ten, at Manor Community Primary School in Kent, have been advised to stay home and get tested.
Unlike with other variants, those who come into close contact with a person who has been infected with Omicron must self-isolate for 10 days.
Pupils parents received an email informing them of the situation and a mobile testing unit has been dispatched to the school in Keary Road today.
As a precaution, the UK Health Security Agency is carrying out testing on some pupils in key stage two groups.
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A year four class at the school has also been strongly encouraged to get tested in case the new variant has spread.
A spokesman for the school said: "The school has followed the national guidance and has written to the parents of all children who have been in close contact with the affected person.
"This testing is voluntary but parents have been strongly encouraged to comply, even if their children have recently had a negative PCR test.
"They have been advised to keep their children at home and self-isolate in line with government guidance."
Pupils who are well and have not tested positive during their isolation will be welcomed back to school.
The news comes days after another Omicron case was confirmed at nearby Northfleet Technology College.
Health experts fear the Omicron variant could be more contagious than other strains, although it is understood the vaccine remains effective at preventing severe symptoms and hospitalisation in most cases.
A total of 817 Omicron cases have been reported in the UK after an additional 249 infections were recorded yesterday.
The government has tightened Covid rules, From Monday 13 December, those who can are advised to work from home.
Fearing a rise in Omicron infections, new coronavirus restrictions have come into force around the country as part of the government's Plan B to tackle the virus over the winter period.
Under the new regime, face masks have been made mandatory in most public indoor places once again and people have been advised to work from home if possible
