The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today identified nine further cases of the new Covid variant B.1.1.529, also known as Omicron, in England. The number of confirmed cases yesterday stood at 13, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in England to 22.

       New cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in the following areas today:

       Until today there were no reported cases of the Omicron variant in these areas.

       The areas listed above have just one confirmed case of the Omicron variant, except for Lewisham where two cases of the new variant have been confirmed.

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       Here is a breakdown of the number of positive cases for Omicron confirmed so far in other parts of the UK:

       Case numbers for the areas listed above have stayed the same since November 30, except for Westminster which recorded one other Omicron case today.

       Just one further case has been identified in Scotland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 10.

       Wales and Northern Ireland have not recorded a single case of the Omicron variant to date.

       Fortunately, cases remain mercifully low, but Westminster has reported the most cases so far.

       The number of confirmed cases in Westminster stands at three.

       Barnet, Camden and Lewisham are the second biggest hotspots with two confirmed cases.

       The individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating.

       UKHSA is trying to establish whether those who tested positive for the new variant had any links to travel to Southern Africa, as the new variant is thought to have originated from there.

       Worryingly some of the cases have no recent travel history, which suggests community transmission of Omicron has already started, this will likely make it harder to contain.

       UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious.