Two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant which was first detected in southern Africa have been found in the UK, according to British health secretary Sajid Javid.
Mr Javid said the two individuals who tested positive for the variant are self-isolating alongside their households, with further testing to be carried out.
He added that the two cases are linked, and contact tracing is being carried out. The cases have been traced to southern Africa, he said.
The World Health Organization has termed the recently discovered strain a "variant of concern" and said it is more transmissible than the dominant Delta strain.