Residents are being urged to get vaccinated, get boosted and keep protecting themselves and others as cases of the new Omicron Covid variant have been confirmed in Bath and North East Somerset.

Becky Reynolds, Director of Public Health for B&NES, said: "Just as in other parts of the South West, we now have confirmed cases of the Omicron variant and we should expect to see more as the virus spreads – however I want to reassure residents that just as we have done throughout the pandemic, all local health professionals are working hard to keep people safe. We ask that people continue to follow guidance and play their part to help stop the spread.

"This means it is important that people get their vaccination, get their booster, continue testing, and follow the latest national measures and guidance. We should continue with washing hands regularly, wearing face coverings where required, taking lateral flow tests, and self-isolating immediately and getting a PCR test when displaying any COVID-19 symptoms."

The UK Health Security Agency is working alongside B&NES Council's Public Health team to identify close contacts of individuals who test positively with the new variant. Details of case numbers by local authority area as reported earlier in December can be found here although we know the actual number of infections will be significantly higher.

From today (Dec 14), testing advice for those who are identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 has changed. Those close contacts that are fully vaccinated, exempt for clinical reasons, or aged 5-18 years, no longer need to self-isolate and instead are advised to take daily LFD tests for seven days and report their results via the normal LFD reporting system.

Unvaccinated adults need to continue to self-isolate and take a PCR test. Children under 5 years do not need to self-isolate or take daily LFD tests. This change to national testing policy aims to reduce pressures on people's everyday lives by replacing the requirement for Omicron contacts to isolate for 10 days, while protecting the public by identifying asymptomatic cases and stopping the chains of transmission. Testing daily will also help us understand how and where the virus is spreading

In response to the national commitment to offer all adults a booster appointment by the end of December, health and care leader, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG is scaling up efforts to offer all eligible adults over the age of 18 with Covid-19 booster vaccines before the end of the year.

It says existing vaccination sites in the region will begin extending their opening hours, while new vaccine venues will also be looked at, to help ensure up to 18,000 jabs can be given locally each day over the coming weeks.

Booster vaccines will soon be available to all adults over the age of 18, providing three months have passed since a person's second coronavirus jab. People are encouraged to pre-book a booster vaccination appointment, rather than arrive at a venue without a confirmed slot.

Gill May, BSW CCG Director of Nursing and Quality, said: "We are pulling out all the stops to ensure we meet the vaccination target announced by the government. It is going to be an incredibly busy few weeks, and I ask for people to show their support to our already-stretched vaccine teams by pre-booking appointments wherever possible and treating our staff with kindness and respect."

People are reminded to make every effort to attend their vaccination appointment and, where this is not possible, to use the National Booking Service to cancel their slot. Booster appointments can be booked online at www.nhs.uk and over the phone by calling 119.

Sites that are able to offer walk-in appointments will be advertised on the NHS website. HERE : Although the nearest to Midsomer Norton is put in Bristol

People who are fully vaccinated, exempt for clinical reasons, or aged 5-18 years, and identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 – whether Omicron or not – should take an NHS rapid lateral flow test every day for seven days to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and:

Anyone identified as a contact with a negative rapid lateral flow result is strongly advised to limit close contact with other people outside their household, especially in crowded or enclosed spaces and with anyone who is more vulnerable.

Those who test positive via a lateral flow test or develop symptoms will need to self-isolate and do a PCR test

Unvaccinated adults must continue to self-isolate for 10 days if they are a contact of someone with COVID-19, unless eligible for existing workplace daily contact testing.

More information about getting access to Lateral Flow Tests including local sites where you can pick up kits can be found at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-everyone Two new B&NES Covid Engagement officers will be out and about working with businesses across the district to help them follow the government's latest guidance and advising people visiting the city centre and shopping districts. Following the Government's decision to implement Plan B in its response to Covid and the spread of the Omicron variant, the rules are as follows: Face coverings are required by law in most indoor settings.

Office workers who can work from home should do so.

From Wednesday 15 December, certain venues and events will be required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption.

The latest national COVID-19 guidance under as part of Plan B can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.