Contact tracing is under way in Essex after an outbreak of the new Omicron variant was linked to a KFC restaurant, a church and a primary school.
Essex County Council stated that contract tracers were looking at individuals who had visited Brentwood High Street’s KFC restaurant, as well as Trinity Church in Pilgrim’s Hatch on Nov 21.
Pupils and staff at Larchwood Primary School are also being tested for the new Covid-19 strain and one class has switched to remote learning after a link to the ‘rapidly spreading’ variant.
According to the council, anyone who went into a KFC restaurant between 1pm and 5:30 on November 19, or Trinity Church on Nov 21, must have their blood tested.
The Mobile Testing Unit, or MTU as it is known, was present at the KFC branch yesterday in order to distribute test kits. People who regularly attend KFC and the Church should also visit the Brentwood sites for testing.
As Dr Mike Gogarty (director of public health at Essex County Council) announced the latest incident, residents were asked to stay home to help ‘prevent this from getting a grip’ and spreading this side of Christmas.
This case is related to one in Nottingham that involved international travel to Southern Africa.
Essex County Council confirmed contract tracers would be focusing on Brentwood High Street’s KFC restaurant, Trinity Church, and Larchwood Primary School in Pilgrim’s Hach.
The council stated that anyone who went to the KFC on Brentwood High Street between 11 and 5 on November 19 (pictured), must be tested.
Trinity Church in Pilgrim’s Hatch (pictured) said they were working with NHS Test & Trace to support their efforts in regards to this new variant
Larchwood Primary School pupils and staff are being tested for Covid-19. One class switched to remote learning.
Larchwood Primary School was also mentioned in a joint statement by Essex County Council.
“The UK Health and Security Agency and Department of Health and Social Care have joined together with colleagues from Brentwood Council and Essex County Council to provide necessary preventive action in order to stop the spread of the disease.
“This means making special testing accessible to all students and school staff, and agreeing arrangements for remote learning in one class.
“We are aware that this can be distressing time for students, parents, and school staff. However we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that this is just a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile Trinity Church said: ‘Since the news emerged of a person in Brentwood testing positive for the new variant of Covid, we have been working with NHS Test & Trace within the past 24 hours to support their efforts in regards to this new variant.
‘Whilst the person identified did not actually attend Trinity on the 21st of November, someone connected with them did attend and so we have encouraged all members to follow NHS Test & Trace requests and be tested at the identified testing sites.
The community was protected by our on-site procedures, and we continue to provide services online for those who are vulnerable. ‘Trinity supported the efforts of the entire pandemic.
“We will continue supporting efforts to fight the spread of this variant wherever necessary.”
A KFC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We’re working closely with the local Covid Enforcement team and Test & Trace after a recent guest at our KFC Brentwood restaurant tested positive for the Omicron variant.
“All the team members from the restaurant have volunteered their time to undergo PCR testing as part of targeted testing. We’d also encourage anyone who visited our restaurant on Friday 19th November between 1pm & 5pm to help these efforts.
Operating responsibly continues to be our highest priority. Therefore, we will follow every guidance and continue to create a safe environment for all our guests.
Today, Dr Mike Gogarty (director of public health, Essex County Council) urged Essex County Council residents to use their homes to reduce spread.
The Omicron variant has been discovered in new cases in Camden (Glenadshire), Nottingham, Brentwood and Camden), Wandsworth, Westminster, Camden, Wandsworth, Camden, Wandsworth, Camden, Wandsworth, Camden, Wandsworth, Camden, Wandsworth, and Westminster
Boris Johnson, part of several measures taken to prevent the spread of this variant, announced Saturday that facial masks would be compulsory for all shops and public transport.
Heart News East was told by him that it would be a great idea to work at home. If you do not have to travel to work, it is no use going to work.
“Every little will help reduce the amount of spread that is happening.” This is why I believe it is so important we take action now to keep this spread from getting out of control and spreading this Christmas side by side.
He said that there was a case of Omicron variant found in Brentwood, and that this person is now ill.
He continued: ‘We’ve had one absolutely confirmed case of the Omicron variant in the Brentwood area.
“The individual is unable to be with their loved ones and has been isolated since the onset of symptoms.
“Although they are sick, I’m happy to report that they aren’t seriously ill and that everyone hopes that they make a complete recovery. I believe that this will happen.
Following discussions with them, they identified three areas in which we feel we must really increase contact tracing. These are Brentwood High Street KFC and Brentwood Faith Group. The people in that setting are advised to take testing. There’s also a primary school in question where all children are being tested.
“They will be taking all of the tests home today. We feel there is one school class that we are especially close to and have asked them to be isolated for 10 days as a precaution. Then, we asked them to take home all the tests.
He stated that the problems were the unknowns. People are constantly worried about unknowns so it is important to remain cautious and to wear masks. You should get the booster if you’re invited.
“Do not shake hands, but stay at least two metres from social distancing. Those are the most important measures.
“I believe that in two to three weeks, we will have a better understanding of the true issues. The real issue is first and foremost whether this item makes you seriously ill. It’s a concern if the thing makes you extremely ill. If not, it is probably not as serious.
It is also important that it works together with the vaccine because, if the vaccine makes you sick, we want it to still work.
Dr Ravi Balakrishnan (Consultant in Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency East) stated that: ‘It really is important that those who have been identified as having a PCR testing linked to listed locations come forward.
The new Omicron variant is still being studied. It’s a complex virus and there are many things we need to know about its transmission, immune response, and vaccine effectiveness.
If you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms, it is important to self-isolate the area and have a PCR test. Everyone should accept the offer for a booster and vaccine, use a mask when in crowds, shops, and public transportation, and wash their hands frequently and thoroughly.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Brentwood community for supporting me as this pandemic continues.
Today, Boris Johnson rejected calls from Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford to toughen up the UK’s response to the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Two ministers were the first to write to Johnson, urging him extend Covid self isolation travel rules to all UK residents from two to eight days in order to stop the spread.
They also demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the COBRA committee and pushed for the Prime Minister to lay the groundwork for a potential return of the furlough scheme, which closed two months ago after costing more than £70billion, just in case the situation worsens.
Downing Street rejected Ms Sturgeon’s and Mr Drakeford’s requests, insisting that the Government’s original response to the variant was correct. It will be examined in three weeks.
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said that ‘currently there isn’t one scheduled’ and insisted ‘we obviously speak to devolved administration counterparts very regularly’.
The spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the two-day self-isolation time limit for return travellers should be extended to eight days.
This happened after Ms Sturgeon, a Coronavirus Briefing participant this morning, advised that Scots need to immediately work from home in order to stop the virus. It was a sign England may soon be subjected more restrictions.
Six cases were confirmed in Scotland this morning. Ms Sturgeon said that the majority of cases have no links to other countries. This suggests Omicron may be spreading within the country. She also announced that surge testing would be conducted in areas where there are cases.
Today, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation announced that they are expanding their advice on booster jab rollouts to advise that everyone aged 18 and older should receive a third vaccine.
Booster jabs currently are only for the 40+, however, the JCVI told the Government that the JCVI recommended including 18-39 year-olds in the mix, offering jabs according to their age. This is part of an attempt to reduce the spread of the variant.
The JCVI recommended reducing from six months to three the amount of time that people must wait to get their boosters after receiving their second dose.
A recommendation was also made by the committee that children aged between 12 and 15 receive a second dose from Pfizer, not earlier than 12 weeks following their initial dose.