Sturgeon: 'There is now community transmission of Omicron variant'

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said there is now “community transmission” of the Omicron Covid variant in Scotland, following a spate of infections linked to a Steps concert.

The number of Omicron cases in Scotland is now 29, but there are currently just six cases related to the Steps concert at Glasgow’s Hydro on November 22.

Commenting, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon 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 22 November.

“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.”