Omicron: Nicola Sturgeon confirms that variant is now the dominant strain in Scotland

The First Minister has confirmed that the strain which was first found in the UK three weeks ago has become the most dominant strain in Scotland
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Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that the Omicron strain has become the most dominant variant in Scotland.

The First Minister told the nation during a televised Covid-19 update that now 51% of all positive Covid-19 cases are Omicron.

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Omicron has now surpassed Delta as the most prevalent strain in the Scotland, with the variant also expected to overtake Delta in the UK as a whole shortly.

Ms Sturgeon admitted that the emergence of Omicron near to Christmas time was “the cruelest of blows” but remained positive that the country was in a much better position than during previous waves.

At a glance: 5 key points

  • The First Minister confirmed that Omicron is now the dominant strain in Scotland, representing 51% of all Covid-19 cases
  • Nicola Sturgeon provided an update to Scots during a televised Covid press conference from the Scottish Parliament, urging Scots to limit social interaction ahead of Christmas
  • She confirmed that 4,336 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the country, with seven deaths also confirmed and hospital numbers increasing
  • Ms Sturgeon said that 696 cases of Omicon were confirmed through genome sequencing, although all tests do not go through genome sequencing, with the First Minister stating that this number “significantly underestimates the true volume of Omicron cases”
  • She also announced additional support for businesses hit by cancellations

What did Nicola Sturgeon say?

The First Minister warned of the severity of the situation in Scotland as she confirmed that Omicron has taken over as the dominant strain.

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“As of now the scale and the immediacy of the challenge is presents is of profound concern.”

“If we don’t act now, what we have feared all along since the very start of this pandemic but so far have managed to avoid, the overwhelming of the NHS, could happen. That is one very important reason why slowing this down matters so much.

“As people become infected we lose drivers for trains, we lose teachers from classrooms, we lose nurses from hospital wards and workers from businesses the length and breadth of the country.”

Ms Sturgeon has reiterated advice that Scots should stay at home as much as possible ahead of meeting at Christmas and asking that if people are meeting to keep it to a minimum of three households.

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She pleaded: “My fundamental ask of everyone right now is this – in the run up to Christmas stay at home much more than you normally would, and stay at home as much as you can.

“If what matters most to you is spending time with your loved on Christmas Day, don’t risk that by going out before then and possibly catching Covid.

“Because the reality is if you are mixing with others just now, getting this virus is a real and increasing risk. Covid, in this new Omicron form, is circulating really widely right now, and it is very, very infectious.”

Ms Sturgeon also urged that everyone eligible get their booster shot to help battle to rising case numbers, adding that the country is in “so much better a position now than this time last year because of vaccination”.

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She said: “Every booster put into someone’s arm right now is another brick in this wall of protection that I do believe will increasingly defend us against Omicron as we go into the New Year.”

“We want as many people as possible to get boosted by the time the bells strike on Hogmanay.”

New rules and funding for businesses

The First Minister also confirmed that new rules for businesses such as those in the hospitality and retail sectors have been enforced from today.

This includes a return to social distancing and protective measures such as screens.

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Ms Sturgeon also announced that businesses would be supported by an additional £100million support fund aimed to help those affected by Christmas cancellations and a downturn in business as a result of surging cases.

However, she once again asked the UK to do what they can to help devolved nations to provide support to businesses, adding: “That can only come from the UK Government because it has borrowing powers that the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments simply do not have.”

What are Scotland’s Covid stats?

The First Minister confirmed that there were 4,336 new Covid-19 cases recorded in Scotland - representing 10.1% of all tests taken.

522 people were in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19 and 33 people were in intensive care.

Seven new deaths had been recorded.

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Yesterday (Wednesday 16 December) saw the highest daily number of vaccines handed out since the vaccine rollout began, with Ms Sturgeon saying: “Yesterday saw the highest number of vaccinations we have ever delivered in a single day - 67,016 first, second and third jags were delivered and of these 63,327 were booster and third jags.

“In the past four days alone more than 220,000 booster and third jags have been administered.”

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