A SMALL number of Omicron cases have been confirmed across County Durham, according to council officials – as the region battles to contain the “rapid spread of the variant”.
Across the majority of the country, cases of the new Covid-19 strain have been announced almost daily – including around other parts of the North East.
At the latest estimate, 300 cases of Omicron were confirmed across the North East, which takes into account Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Read more: Omicron: 100 cases confirmed in North East and 30 in Yorkshire
In England as a whole, there are 4487 confirmed cases of Omicron – with parts of London and the South East faring worst out of the regions, as well as Yorkshire and the Humber having 30 cases.
However, this evening, County Durham’s director of Public Health, Amanda Healy, announced to The Northern Echo that Omicron had spread into the county, while also highlighting the worrying speed that the virus had spread.
In the aftermath of the new Omicron cases, Durham County Council has said that they are supporting the people impacted by the new variant of Covid-19.
Ms Healy said: “As with most councils across the country now, we are aware of a small number of confirmed cases of Omicron in our area, due to the rapid spread of the variant at both national and global level.
“These cases are being managed in line with national guidance. Those affected are being supported to self-isolate, and people they have been in close contact with have been asked to reduce social interaction and take daily Lateral Flow Tests for seven days.”
As well as issuing guidance to those that have contracted the Omicron strain, the director of public health for County Durham has also urged people to get both doses of the vaccine and the subsequent booster injection.
She added: “We would urge people to do everything they can to reduce the spread of the virus. The vaccine remains our best defence against all variants of Covid-19 so, if you haven’t already, please book your first, second or booster dose as soon as you’re eligible.
“People should also wear face coverings in most indoor settings unless exempt, practice social distancing and wash their hands and sanitise regularly.
“They should also book a PCR test and isolate if they have symptoms, take regular lateral flow device tests if they do not, meet people outdoors wherever possible and ventilate rooms when meeting indoors.”
These comments from the County Durham health boss come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night addressed the nation to warn people that 200,000 cases of the Omicron variant could be seen in England if “precautions aren’t taken”.
Mr Johnson also announced that one million Covid booster jabs need to be administered daily to protect against Omicron, which has seen an influx of people at walk-in centres across the region and the wider UK.
Currently, you are eligible for a booster jab if you are aged 18 and over and it's been three months since you received a second dose of a Covid vaccine.
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