Boris Johnson is set to hold a press conference later today as the first cases of the new Covid-19 variant have been identified in the UK.
The Prime Minister is expected to make an urgent statement at 5pm, along with Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance.
According to Health Secretary Sajid Javid the cases of the Omicron variant were found in Nottingham and Chelmsford, and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa, HullLive reports.
The Department of Health & Social Care said that the individuals that have tested positive, and all members of their households, are being re-tested and told to self-isolate while further testing and contact tracing is under way.