MORE than 100 cases of the subvariant of Omicron which may be even more transmissible have been identified in Scotland, the First Minister has said.
However, Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood that the worst of the latest coronavirus wave seemed to have passed and that there were “no grounds at this stage for any significant concern” about the subvariant termed BA.2.
She said: "Last week, I indicated that there were 26 cases of this sub type confirmed in Scotland through genomic sequencing. I can report today that the number of confirmed cases has now risen to 103.
"Not all tests are or can be genomically sequenced, so we know this will be a significant underestimate of actual prevalence."
While Sturgeon said there was no evidence that the BA.2 subvariant was able to evade immunity or caused more serious illness, she said "there is evidence from more than one country" that it is more transmissible than the original Omicron.
However, the Scottish Government found "no grounds at this stage for any significant concern about BA.2 - and no reason to change our approach in response", Sturgeon said.
Instead, the nation is reportedly looking at a more positive outlook moving forward and will see measures brought in through the pandemic eased as a result.
The First Minister said that there would be an updated “Strategic Framework” published on February 22 “which will set out in greater detail our approach to managing Covid more sustainably and less restrictively in the remaining phases of the pandemic, and then as the virus hopefully becomes endemic”.
She said that this document would then be put to MSPs to be debated and voted on.
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More immediately, the Scottish Government is to end its reporting of Covid figures over the weekends moving forward. Instead, data for Saturdays and Sunday is to be reported on the subsequent Monday.
Sturgeon told MSPs: "This reflects the move – we hope – into a calmer phase of the pandemic."
"It seems reasonable based on the data to conclude that we are now through the worst of this wave of Omicron," she went on.
The First Minister said that "baseline" protective measures – such as Covid certification and the requirement to wear face coverings in certain settings – would remain in place.
Elsewhere more optional measures such as the Distance Aware scheme have been brought in, which allows people who may be vulnerable to signal that they need additional space and consideration using badges like the one shown above.
Furthermore, a decision about whether secondary school pupils will continue to have to wear face coverings in class will be made before pupils return after the February break.
The First Minister said that the Scottish Government’s education advisory group was meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the issue.
Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government will consider carefully any further advice that the sub-group provides, and confirm any decisions as quickly as possible and in advance of the return to school after the February break.”
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