Omicron spread at Steps gig in Hydro
ASTEPS concert in Glasgow is among the sources of new Omicron cases in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed. Omicron cases in Scotland have jumped by 16, up to 29, in the most recent 24-hour figures.
The First Minister said: “The number of Omicron cases now being reported in Scotland is rising, and cases are no longer all linked to a single event, but to several different sources including a Steps concert at the Hydro on November 22.
“This confirms our view that there is now community transmission of this variant within Scotland. Given the nature of transmission, we would expect to see cases rise, perhaps significantly, in the days ahead.
“However, health protection teams are continuing work through contact tracing, isolation and testing to slow the spread as far as possible while we learn more about the new variant’s impact. Ministers are also keeping the situation under daily review.”
Six cases are understood to be linked to the concert at the Hydro on November 22.
Risk to those who attended is said to be low and those who may have come into contact with the new variant at the event are being contacted.
No one from the concert needs to isolate unless asked to by Test and Protect or if they develop symptoms.
No vaccine passports were needed to get into the event.
Bandmate Faye had tested positive for the virus and missed the Glasgow shows. Bandmate Lee then tested positive.
Steps were then forced to postpone two of their tour dates after members of their touring party also tested positive for Covid-19.
The group have rescheduled the Cardiff and Bournemouth shows until summer 2022.
The coronavirus death toll under the daily measure, of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days, is 9634 across Scotland.
The daily test positivity rate was 7.6%, according to data published by the Scottish Government yesterday, up from 7.4% the previous day.
There were 652 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19 as of Wednesday night, down 28 in 24 hours and, of these, 46 people were in intensive care, down two.
So far, 4,350,133 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 3,954,992 have had a second, and 1,790,728 have been given a third dose or booster.