Timeline of Omicron's discovery to its arrival in UK
Ted Hennessey, PA
November 28, 2021, 7:17 a.m. ·3 min read
Two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been detected in the UK.
Here, the PA news agency looks at how the variant went from an emerging cause for concern in southern parts of Africa to arriving in the country.
November 23:
UK scientists first become aware of the new strain after samples are uploaded on to a coronavirus variant tracking website from South Africa, Hong Kong and then Botswana.
Downing Street said the variant will be kept under "close investigation".
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said early indicators show it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and the vaccines may be less effective against it.
We have been made aware by @UKHSA of two UK cases of the Omicron variant. The two cases are linked and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa.
These individuals are self-isolating with their households while further testing and contact tracing is underway.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 27, 2021
It is announced that from the next day, six southern African countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana – will be added to the travel red list, meaning flights are suspended.
People arriving before then are told to self-isolate at home and take a PCR test on day two and day eight. Anyone who arrived up to 10 days prior are also told to take tests.
Mr Javid said scientists are "deeply concerned" about the variant, and mentioned turning to Plan B of coronavirus restrictions.
Scientists describe the variant as "very serious", with Professor James Naismith, director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, declaring it will "almost certainly" make the vaccines less effective.
Mr Javid updates MPs in the Commons on the variant called B.1.1.529, saying it "is highly likely that it has now spread to other countries".
The Health Secretary tells of "very live" discussions over the prospect of adding further countries to the red list.
Flights from the African countries were suspended (John Walton/PA)
He confirms the Government is still following Plan A for managing Covid-19 in the autumn and winter but warns "if we need to go further, we will".
Downing Street later urges those who have recently returned from one of the six southern African countries not to wait for NHS Test and Trace to contact them before getting tested.
On the back of the news, around £72 billion is wiped off London's top shares as FTSE 100 drops by 3.6%, one of its biggest points fall since the early days of the pandemic in March 2020.
Later in the day, it is designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, and named Omicron.
Boris Johnson speaks to South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the challenges of the variant.
Two cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant are discovered in Brentwood and in Nottingham, the Department of Health & Social Care said.
Mr Javid said two cases had been detected in the UK (Andrew Matthews/PA)
The individuals that tested positive, and all members of their households, are retested and told to self-isolate.
Mr Javid said the two cases are linked, as Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola are added to the travel red list.
It is announced that the Prime Minister will host a press conference in Downing Street alongside chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
Mr Javid announced that new mask-wearing rules for shops and public transport would come into force the following week.
The Health Secretary said he expected imminent advice on broadening the booster programme from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
He also said the testing regime for international arrivals would be introduced "as soon as possible", with online passenger locator forms stating that PCR tests rather than lateral flow tests would be required from 4am the following Tuesday.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland said they intended to mirror the border restrictions.
Form 8.5 (EPT/RI) Tungsten Corporation Plc
NOTIFICATION OF MANAGERS' AND CLOSELY RELATED PARTIES' TRANSACTIONS WITH DAMPSKIBSSELSKABET NORDEN A/S' SHARES IN CONNECTION WITH SHARE BUY-BACK PROGRAM
Chinese New Year: No change in COVID safe management measures – MTF
FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI) PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the "Code") 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Name of exempt principal trader:Shore Capital Stockbrokers Ltd(b) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offereeTungsten Corporation plc(c) Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader
ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 18 - 21 JANUARY 2022 In connection with the announced share buy-back program in Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S, A/S Motortramp participates by selling shares pro rata in order to maintain the current ownership of just under 32% of the shares in Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S. The market will be informed accordingly – see the attached file and announcement no. 75/2021. Kind regards, Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S Martin Badsted CFO For further information:Thomas France, Investor Com
The news was announced in a Facebook post.
Ahead of the Chinese New Year festivities, Singaporeans are reminded to uphold the prevailing safe management measures.
'Whole community is gone' after deadly explosion in western Ghana
At least 17 people have died and 59 injured in a devastating explosion in small town in western Ghana, after a truck carrying explosives intended for a mine collided with a motorcycle, the government said. The blast left a huge crater and reduced dozens of buildings to dust-covered piles of wood and metal in the community of Apiate, near the city of Bogoso some 300 kilometres west of the mineral-rich West African country's capital Accra.Videos posted on social media showed locals rushing towards
Belfast film review: Branagh's playful nostalgia warms the heart even as it makes blood run cold
5/5 Anyone who says this personal movie isn't political is kidding themselves
The singer Meat Loaf, whose "Bat Out of Hell" album is among the best-selling and most enduring rock albums of the 1970s, has died at the age of 74. A consummate performer, he also appeared in the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Meat Loaf won a 1994 Grammy Award for best solo rock […]
Meat Loaf: US 'Bat out of Hell' singer dies, aged 74
US singer Meat Loaf, whose hits included Bat Out of Hell, has died aged 74, a statement on his official Facebook page said. Successive albums, which formed a Bat Out of Hell trilogy, propelled the rocker into one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
E3 METALS CORP. (TSXV: ETMC) (FSE: OU7A) (OTC: EEMMF) (the "Company" or "E3 Metals"), an emerging lithium developer and leading direct lithium extraction ("DLE") technology innovator is pleased to provide an update on its ESG initiatives. E3 Metals objective is to deliver an environmentally and socially responsible Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) project that produces a high-grade lithium product for direct sale to the global battery market. In a commercial operation, the Company plans to demons
Visits to hospital wards in Singapore suspended from Monday to 20 Feb
Personal visits to all hospital wards and residential care homes in Singapore will be suspended from Monday to 20 February 2022, the multi-ministerial taskforce on COVID-19 said.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss warns Vladimir Putin of 'terrible quagmire' if Russia invades Ukraine
The foreign secretary has warned Vladimir Putin that any invasion of Ukraine would lead to huge loss of life as she told the Russian president to "desist and step back before he makes a massive strategic mistake". Liz Truss said a war between Russia and Ukraine would lead to a "a terrible quagmire". Speaking at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia on Friday she added that the UK is ready to "put very severe sanctions in place" and forces are working to support Ukraine's defensive capabilities.
The award-winning singer said her team had tried 'absolutely everything' to pull the show together in time but that it had been 'impossible'.
More than half of Scots think partygate saga has hurt case for Union – poll
Support for Scottish independence remains split down the middle.
Israel's attorney general has ordered an investigation into police surveillance tactics amid reports that law enforcement improperly used a disputed hacking tool. A report by the Calcalist financial daily describing misuse by police of the Pegasus spyware made by Israel's NSO Group - a company now on a U.S. government blacklist - has already spurred parliament to seek an explanation from police officials. In a letter to the police commissioner made public, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said an initial examination into the matter did not turn up evidence of systemic misuse of surveillance technologies.
The Great Rejects: what Jason Everman did next (after being kicked out of Nirvana and then Soundgarden)
Jamie Collinson on how the former guitarist "sloughed off these shackles of cool" for a fulfilling career in the military
BEIJING (AP) — China is limiting the torch relay for the Winter Olympic Games to just three days amid coronavirus worries, organizers said Friday. The flame will be displayed only in enclosed venues that are deemed "safe and controllable," according to officials speaking at a news conference. No public transit routes would be disturbed and normal life would continue for the 20 million residents of the capital, where a handful of new COVID-19 cases have been recorded over recent days. Beijing's D
Newsfile
Internet City, Dubai--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2022) - LBank Exchange, a global digital asset trading platform, will list RIZON (ATOLO) on January 24, 2022. For all users of LBank Exchange, the ATOLO/USDT trading pair will be officially available for trading at 20:00 (UTC+8) on January 24, 2022.Figure 1: LBank Exchange Will List RIZON (ATOLO) on January 24, 2022Aiming to become the financial hub for digital assets and businesses, RIZON (ATOLO) provide a platform ...
Winnipeg travels to play Marchand and the Bruins
Winnipeg Jets (17-13-6, fifth in the Central) vs. Boston Bruins (23-12-2, fourth in the Atlantic)Boston; Saturday, 3 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Brad Marchand leads Boston into a matchup with Winnipeg. He ranks 10th in the league with 43 points, scoring 20 goals and recording 23 assists.The Bruins are 13-7-1 on their home ice. Boston ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference recording 8.3 points per game, averaging 3.1 goals and 5.2 assists.The Jets are 7-7-5 in road games. Winnipeg ranks 25th in the West