Six more cases of Omicron Covid mutation found in Britain as new strain spreads

Six cases of the new Omicron Covid variant have been detected in Scotland, officials have confirmed this morning.

It comes after the UK announced its first three cases of the mutant strain over the weekend.

In a statement this morning the Scottish government said: "Six cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant have been identified in Scotland.

"Four cases are in the Lanarkshire area and two have been identified in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area."

At the weekend Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there had been two cases identified in England, in Brentwood, Essex, and Nottingham.

Scientists around the world are scrambling to find out whether the new variant, first identified by scientists in South Africa, is more deadly or if it evades vaccines.

Over the weekend Omicron cases were also confirmed in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Australia.

In a hastily-convened press conference from Downing Street on Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that face masks would be reintroduced in shops and on public transport.

It was later confirmed that the new rule will come into effect from tomorrow, Tuesday.

He also said that contacts of those with the Omicron variant would be ordered to isolate for 10 days, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

And anyone arriving in the UK from anywhere in the world will have to take a PCR test on their second day, isolating until they have a negative result.

This morning's announcement was branded "worrying" by Scotland's health chief, who said that work was being carried out to identify the origin of each Omicron infection.

At least nine people have been confirmed to have the mutant strain (file image) (Getty Images)

The country's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “This will be a worrying time for the six people now identified as having the new variant. All will receive expert help and support and Public Health Scotland will undertake enhanced contact tracing in all cases.

"This will help establish the origin of the virus and any further individuals they have come into contact with in recent weeks.

“There is still much to learn about the Omicron variant. Questions remain about its severity, transmissibility and response to treatments or vaccines and scientists are working at pace to provide additional information. Until more is known we must be cautious and do everything we can to minimise the risk of spreading infection.

“We have already taken steps and are aligning with the new border restrictions being introduced by the UK Government which will require fully vaccinated arrivals to take a PCR test within two days of arrival and to self-isolate until a negative result is received."