NHS Orkney confirm first Omicron cases

Orkney has recorded its first cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, NHS Orkney has confirmed.

Director of public heath Dr Louise Wilson said there is Omicron present in the archipelago, numbering “less than five cases” at present.

She warned that health chiefs were expecting case numbers to rise in the coming days.

Dr Wilson, interim chief executive Michael Dickson and head of primary care Maureen Firth were all speaking in a press briefing this afternoon following the First Minister’s announcement of fresh advice earlier in the day.

Public Health Scotland figures show 17 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Orkney in the last 24 hours.