Ten cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been found in Scotland over recent days.
The mutant strain of Covid has caused concern among global scientists and health officials as it contains a ‘large number’ of mutations.
Investigations are also underway to see the impacts that Omicron could have on the vaccines approved for use in Scotland.
A number of Scottish politicians have described the development as ‘concerning’ and ‘worrying’.
Here is a timeline of how the Omicron variant emerged globally, before making its way over to Scotland.
November 24
South Africa makes its first report of the Omicron variant to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The strain is believed to be causing a surge in case numbers across the country.
The first known confirmed infection in the country came from a sample collected on November 9.
WHO experts express their concerns over the variant, which is said to contain a ‘large number’ of mutations. Early evidence suggests that there is an increased risk of reinfection from the strain compared to other variants of concern.
Countries are urged to enhance surveillance measures to eliminate the spread of the variant while investigations continue into the impacts it could have.
November 25
Six southern African countries are then added onto Scotland’s red list as fears over the variant grow globally.
The strict measures are imposed for South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.
Anyone who arrives from these countries must enter into hotel quarantine for at least two days and take two Covid tests during their stay.
A growing number of European nations also report Omicron infections.
November 27
The UK Government confirms that two cases of the Omicron variant have been confirmed in the UK.
Tory Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that the two infections are linked and there is a connection to travel to southern Africa.
Surge testing is also deployed in two English cities in an attempt to isolate all of the cases of the variant.
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia are also added to the red list by the Scottish Government off the back of the news.
All travellers arriving in Scotland are ordered to take a PCR test within two days of their return and must self-isolate until they have received a negative test - regardless of vaccination status or the non-red list country they have come from.
Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf also urges Scots to ‘redouble their efforts’ in following the remaining Covid restrictions.
November 28
The South African doctor who raised the alarm over the Omicron variant said that patients showed ‘ unusual but mild ’ symptoms.
Dr Angelique Coetzee said that none of her patients showed a loss of taste or smell, which are both globally recognised symptoms of the virus.
Instead, some are said to have suffered from intense fatigue while a six-year-old child had a high pulse rate.
November 29
The Scottish Government confirms that the first six cases of the Omicron variant have been discovered in Scotland.
Four of the cases are said to be in the Lanarkshire area with two in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Public Health Scotland local health protection teams begin contact tracing to investigate the origin of the virus and any individuals they have come into contact with.
Humza Yousaf describes the news as ‘worrying’ for the people involved.
Nicola Sturgeon calls an emergency press conference in light of the news.
The First Minister revealed that she had written to Boris Johnson in a joint letter with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford calling for tougher travel restrictions.
Sturgeon also said that Christmas plans should not be cancelled, despite news of the new variant.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCV) also announces that the booster vaccine programme will be rolled out to all adults aged 18 and over.
Experts recommend that the time between the second and third doses of the vaccine should be reduced from six months to three.
It is also recommended that immunosuppressed people are given a fourth dose of the vaccine.
November 30
Three more cases of the Omicron variant are discovered in Scotland.
One of the cases is found in Lanarkshire, with other two being identified in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
All nine Omicron infections are found to be linked a ‘single private event’ that took place on November 20, Nicola Sturgeon confirms.
None of the cases led to hospital treatment and they are all self-isolating at home.
It is said that the people involved had no recent travel history to southern Africa or any links to anyone in the area - which suggests that they may have caught the variant in the community.
The First Minister announces that testing will be ramped up across Scotland, with centres made available in supermarkets, garden centres and Christmas markets.
Sturgeon also confirms that the Scottish Government has accepted the advice given by the JCVI on booster vaccines.
The World Health Organisation urges vulnerable people and the elderly to postpone their winter holidays abroad amid concerns over the variant.
December 1
An official from the World Health Organisation said that early signs show that most Omicron infections are ‘mild’ and there is no evidence to suggest that vaccines are less effective in tackling the variant.
His remarks came after Botswana declared that nearly 80 per cent of cases of the strain were asymptomatic.
It is believed that Omicron has spread to 40 countries by this point.
Scotland’s National Clinical Director Jason Leitch said that Scots should not cancel their Christmas parties this year.
But the professor urged people to practice caution amid the emergence of the new variant.
December 2
A tenth Omicron case is identified in Scotland, which is said to have no ‘direct link’ to the previous nine.
The Scottish Government confirm that the new case found is in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.
Officials say that there is no indication yet that transmission of the variant is ‘sustained or widespread’.
The UK Government announces that it has secured 114 million extra doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which will give every adult a fourth dose of protection against the virus amid concerns over Omicron.
