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 | Yorkshire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
9:54 PM 5th December 2021
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COVID-19 Variants Identified In The UK - 5 December 2021
Latest update
Further information is also available in the latest variant technical briefing.
UKHSA is gathering scientific information as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This includes analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines.
Where individuals are suspected or confirmed to have the Omicron variant as the result of testing, their close contacts will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, required to self-isolate and asked to take a PCR test, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.
Anyone who is contacted because of a link to a probable or possible Omicron case will be asked to take a PCR test, even if they have received a positive COVID-19 PCR test within the last 90 days.
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:
"We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy.
"Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant – please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay.
"A booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended and will be available at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities.
"Please make sure to wear a mask in line with government guidance, including on public transport and in shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant.
"It’s critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately."
"We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy.
"Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant – please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay.
"A booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended and will be available at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities.
"Please make sure to wear a mask in line with government guidance, including on public transport and in shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant.
"It’s critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately."