The Isle of Wight is still free of Omicron Covid cases, despite nearby Portsmouth and Southampton having confirmed cases.
Four cases of the variant were confirmed in Southampton on Monday while three were found in Basingstoke over the weekend and just this morning (Wednesday), Portsmouth City Council recorded its first Omicron case.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has said they are not aware of any confirmed Omicron cases on the Island but urged people to get vaccinated or have their booster vaccine if eligible.
Southampton’s public health director, Debbie Chase, said it is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) following the discoveries but added the cases were all ‘directly or indirectly linked to travel’ from overseas.
Latest data from the UKSHA shows 437 Omicron cases were have now been confirmed in the UK, with 333 in England.
Speaking at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s local outbreak engagement board last week, Simon Bryant, the Island’s public health director said initial signs were it could be ok but wants to remain very cautious.