The nine cases of the new omicron covid variant are linked to a single private event.

Nicola Sturgeon said that the five cases in Lanarkshire and four in Greater Glasgow have all been traced back to an event on November 20.

The First Minister said there is no evidence yet of it spreading further into the community.

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Sturgeon said: “None of the people have so far required hospital care.

She said they tested positive on November 23 and all of them are self-isolating.

It has, she said been confirmed the cases are indeed omicron and she added that none of them have known travel links to the countries in southern Africa where omicron was first detected.

She said: “All nine cases are linked. All trace back to a single private event on November 20.

She added: “It suggests community transmission may be limited. There is nothing to suggest community transmission is either sustained or widespread.”