Nicola Sturgeon confirms new Covid strain found in Glasgow with nine cases identified

direct to your inboxThe number of coronavirus patients in Greater Manchester hospitals is rising as it emerged 25pc of cases have been identified as belonging to the new strain.The Mayor Andy Burnham said while the current picture of the region's health system is 'challenging but manageable', he is concerned that the fast-spreading variant of Covid-19 could 'overwhelm' it.He therefore welcomed the government's decision to put Greater Manchester in Tier 4, the highest level of restrictions.It

fast-spreading form of coronavirus, first detected earlier this month.In a statement at Holyrood, she said: "This new strain appears to be fast becoming the dominant one circulating in Scotland - and that is obviously a cause for real concern, given that it is thought to be significantly more transmissible."As I indicated before Christmas, the severity of this challenge means we can't rule out the need for restrictions that are even tighter than those in the current level 4."Sturgeon spoke after

Joe FitzPatrick, who left the post last week.FitzPatrick quit after being roundly criticised over drugs death figures.Gougeon, SNP MSP for Angus North and Mearns, was the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment.In her new post, she will play a key role in tackling the pandemic and will have responsibility for COVID-19 testing.Angela Constance has been nominated to be the new Minister for Drugs Policy.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Mairi Gougeon has proven herself to be a

new strain, which is causing concern due to its infectiousness, is much more widespread currently in London and the south east of England.However, it is also present in Scotland and Nicola Sturgeon has announced sweeping preventative measures to stop it spreading further.Dr Smith told the daily media briefing he had been in contact with Public Health Scotland, adding: “They were able to tell me that the current figure for Scotland is 18 cases who meet this case definition.

tougher restrictions as of Boxing Day which will see non-essential shops and hospitality businesses forced to close.Nicola Sturgeon said on Saturday the move was essential to contain the spread of a new strain of coronavirus and to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed in January.She said the decision will be reviewed after two weeks on January 9 added level four would be in place until at least January 16.It will mean retailers forced to pull down the shutters at a time of year they would

Jason Leitch said further research was required on the latest mutation of the virus but added experts were so far confident it would not be able to resist the jabs currently being rolled out to health workers and care home residents. It comes as UK health secretary Matt Hancock warned today the country faced an “enormous challenge” controlling the new strain after scientists found it was able to spread more rapidly.

First Minister also announced a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK and the world.

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coronavirus strain found in the UK - or make any claims about the mutation. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs that the new variant may be linked to the faster spread of the virus in the South of England.