The Omicron variant “is coming”, one in every of Scotland’s high clinicians has mentioned, as he urged care over Christmas gatherings.
The brand new variant has change into the dominant pressure of Covid-19 in Scotland, resulting in a spike in case numbers in latest weeks.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon additionally introduced this week that restrictions on hospitality and occasions will return after Christmas, with out of doors gatherings restricted to 500 individuals, indoor seated occasions capped at 200, and standing at 100.
The Omicron variant is coming, however behaviour and vaccines are protecting it at bay a bit
Nationwide medical director Professor Jason Leitch
Nightclubs have additionally been ordered to shut, whereas one metre social distancing between teams and desk service might be mandated for different hospitality premises.
Christmas gatherings had been allowed to go forward, though ministers and officers – together with Ms Sturgeon – urged Scots to restrict the numbers in attendance as a lot as potential.
Talking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, nationwide medical director Professor Jason Leitch mentioned: “You may rejoice Christmas – no one can cancel Christmas, it’s unattainable to cancel Christmas.
“I hope that everyone listening has a improbable family- and beloved one-centred Christmas.
“The way you do that’s as much as you, however we’re asking you to be as cautious and as cautious as you may be.
“The virus is rising once more due to the brand new variant.”
He added: “The Omicron variant is coming, however behaviour and vaccines are protecting it at bay a bit.
“However tomorrow is essential for that, as a result of if we instantly throw warning to the wind, then it’ll discover a option to infect people who collect.
“Try to (meet) fastidiously, take a look at earlier than you meet different individuals and get your self vaccinated.”
Vaccination centres might be closed on Christmas Day, Prof Leitch mentioned, however the Scottish Authorities has introduced that take a look at centres might be open in a restricted capability.
Well being Secretary Humza Yousaf mentioned take a look at centres might be open all through the festive interval (Jane Barlow/PA)
(PA Wire)
Check centres might be open all through the festive interval – between 10am and 2pm on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New 12 months’s Day and 8am and 6pm on different days – whereas contact tracing may even proceed.
In an announcement, Well being Secretary Humza Yousaf mentioned: “Testing has been on the coronary heart of our response to this pandemic and anybody who has signs or is notified as an in depth contact by Check and Shield ought to isolate instantly and ebook a PCR take a look at.
“The emergence of the Omicron variant means it’s extra very important than ever that we use each device at our disposal to determine Covid-19 circumstances shortly and break off chains of transmission.
“We’re urging everybody to remain at residence as a lot as potential over the approaching weeks and scale back their mixing with different households.
“Individuals ought to take a lateral stream system take a look at beforehand if they’re visiting family and friends, and earlier than conditions the place there’s a increased threat of catching or passing on the virus.”
Mr Yousaf went on to reward the “dedication and dedication” of testing and phone tracing workers.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
