Two Omicron cases confirmed in Wiltshire

Two cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant have been identified in Wiltshire.

The individuals have been told to self-isolate and their close contacts have been identified.

Anyone who is identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for the Omicron variant is currently required to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of age or whether they are double vaccinated.

Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, said, “People should be assured that, just as we have done throughout the pandemic, all local health professionals are working hard to keep our county safe.

“Close contacts of these individuals will have been identified and will have been requested to self-isolate and get tested.

“We’ll continue to work closely with partners, including the UK Health Security Agency, and if any further preventative action is required as a result of the variant being confirmed in the county we will let people know.

“In the meantime, It’s important that everyone continues to take sensible precautions and follows the national measures and guidance currently in place. So that means washing hands regularly, wearing face coverings where required, taking lateral flow tests, getting both doses of your vaccine and the booster, and self-isolating immediately and getting a PCR test when displaying any COVID-19 symptoms.

“We thank everyone for their continued support.”

People are reminded to take precautions and follow the national measures and guidance currently in place. In addition to shops and public transport, face coverings are now compulsory in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship. There will be exemptions in venues where it is not practical to wear one, such as when people are eating, drinking or exercising. For that reason, face masks will not be required in hospitality settings.

All travellers arriving into the country are also required to take a PCR test on or before day two and self-isolate until they have received a negative test result. The PCR tests can be purchased from private providers – free NHS tests are not valid for this purpose.

Anyone wishing to travel to the UK from countries and territories not on the red list must also show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow (LFD) pre-departure test, taken no earlier than 48 hours before departure. This applies to vaccinated passengers and children aged 12 and above.

People should also work from home from 13th December if they are able to.

The latest national COVID-19 guidance can be found here.

More information about getting access to Lateral Flow Tests can be found here.

The UK Health Security Agency will release a breakdown of cases by local authority area on a weekly basis.