The Omicron coronavirus variant has caused significant concern among the global scientific community since its emergence last month.
World Health Organisation (WHO) experts have said that the strain contains a ‘large number’ of mutations - some of which are said to be ‘deeply worrying’.
The variant is believed to be the cause of a recent surge in coronavirus cases in southern Africa, with cases also being found across Europe.
There are also fears that the variant could evade some protections from the coronavirus vaccines.
Scotland reported its first ever cases of the variant earlier this week, with the total number of Omicron infections reaching nine so far.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said that all of the cases emerged following a ‘single private event’ on November 20.
All nine of the people identified have no recent travel links to southern Africa - which suggests that they could have caught the virus in the community.
The Scottish Government is expecting more cases to be identified over the coming days, which could be linked to the same event.
“We have preliminary information on all nine cases however, health protection teams are continuing their investigations”, the First Minister told MSPs in Holyrood yesterday.
“None of the people who have tested positive have so far required hospital care."
Where have cases been identified?
A number of countries have confirmed cases of the Omicron variant since it first was first reported in South Africa on November 24.
This includes an additional five cases that have been detected in England. Surge testing is being carried out in a number of English cities to help slow the spread of the virus.
The countries that have so far confirmed cases of Omicron include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France (on Reunion Island), Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
Where are the nine cases in Scotland based?
So far, the Scottish Government has confirmed nine cases of Omicron in Scotland - but more are expected to be picked up as contact tracing continues.
Officials say that all of the cases are linked to a ‘single private event’ that was held on November 20.
Public health teams are also investigating any potential links between Omicron and the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow.
However, Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs that given the timing of both events then the potential link between the two is ‘improbable’.
Cases have so far been identified in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire health board areas.
