ALL of the cases of the Omicron variant which have so far been identified in Scotland are linked to a single event, Nicola Sturgeon has told MSPs.
She said that none of the nine people in Scotland to have been confirmed to have contracted the Omicron variant have been hospitalised.
Sturgeon also said that none of the people had "any recent travel history to or known links with others who have travelled to the countries in Southern Africa where the variant was originally detected".
However, they all tested positive "on or around" November 23 after attending a single private event, which the First Minister said was held on November 20.
READ MORE: Eight further cases of the Omicron variant in England
She said that the Government "fully expects" there to be more cases of the Omicron variant linked to that event, but the fact they are all connected "reduces anxiety because it gives us more assurance that community transmission is not widespread".
Sturgeon went on: "The lack of any known travel or overseas connection to these cases does suggest that there is some community transmission of Omicron already happening in Scotland. However, the fact that all known cases are so far linked to this single event suggests that community transmission may still be limited."
Sturgeon said she hoped that, as the world learned more about Omicron, “our level of concern will diminish rather than increase”.
She added: “However, while hoping very much for the best, it is prudent at this stage to contemplate and prepare for something less positive than that.
“The fact is that any variant which might be more transmissible than Delta – and which could, even to a limited extent, evade vaccine or natural immunity – must be taken seriously.
“That is why we have – and will continue for now – to respond in a way that is proportionate but also highly precautionary.”
The nine Omicron cases in Scotland have now been confirmed using "whole genome sequencing", according to the First Minister.
However a less accurate method is being used to identify potential Omicron cases. This involved what is called the "S gene dropout".
Sturgeon explained that Public Health Scotland has been looking at all positive PCR samples identified since November 1 to look for this dropout.
While the dropout used to be an indicator of the Alpha variant, that strain of the virus has all but disappeared from Scotland. Now, the vast majority, more than 99%, of the cases are of the Delta variant, which is not indicated by the same S gene dropout.
As such, The First Minister said, if the dropout is appearing recently "then the suspicion is that it is Omicron".
The First Minister said she "considered it highly likely indeed certain" that further cases of the variant would be identified in Scotland.
The First Minister said overall infection levels have been falling, with a reduction of 15% in new cases recorded over the last week.
Addressing a potential need for more stringent restrictions to be brought back in, the First Minister said that the Government was instead asking people to “significantly step up and increase compliance with existing protections”.
She went on: “It is my strong hope that beyond temporary travel measures no additional restrictions will be required.
“However, that will of course, depend partly on what information emerges about Omicron in the days to come, but also and significantly on all of us complying rigorously with all the protections currently in place to stem transmission.”
The First Minister said she knew that everyone - herself included - was “tired” of restrictions but called on Scots to help to “stop not just this new variant of the virus but the virus generally in its tracks and mitigate against the risks over winter”.
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