THE first case of the new Omicron variant which is believed to be "more transmissible" than any other coronavirus strain has been found in Brighton.

The city's health boss recognised that the confirmation "may be a worrying time" for people concerned about the spread of the virus but urged residents to follow public health advice.

Alistair Hill, director of public Health at Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed the case after being notified by the UK Health Security Agency.

All close contacts have been identified and are isolating to reduce the spread of the variant, which is believed to be more transmissible than Delta.

Mr Hill told The Argus: “Like many other places in England, we have been notified by the UK Health Security Agency that a case of the new Omicron variant has been confirmed in Brighton and Hove.

“We recognise this may be a worrying time for residents. We’d like to reassure you that UKHSA has identified all close contacts and they are isolating.

“We can’t comment on any individual details of the case.

“Whatever the variant, it’s more important than ever that everyone follows public health advice to slow the spread of infection and keep each other safe.

“Please get vaccinated as soon as you are invited, wear a face covering in crowded or enclosed places, and crucially if you have any symptoms you must isolate immediately and get a PCR test.

“Ahead of social events and meeting people, please take a lateral flow test, and meet outdoors if possible or open a window to let fresh air in.”

It comes as Boris Johnson has told ministers that the Omicron variant of coronavirus appears to be “more transmissible” than Delta.

The Prime Minister updated his Cabinet on the latest situation on Tuesday morning, as a scientist warned cases of the Omicron variant in the UK are soon expected to be higher than in some African countries placed on the travel red list.

Giving an account of the Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister said it was too early to draw conclusions on the characteristics of Omicron but early indications were that it is more transmissible than Delta.”

But the spokesman said there was no debate around the Cabinet table on whether to introduce Plan B of the Government’s plans to control the virus this winter.

Mr Johnson later said “now is the time” for people to get a booster jab.

“The booster programme is the fastest in Europe; I think we have done more boosters than any comparable country,” he told reporters.

“That doesn’t mean it couldn’t go faster.”

He added: “I would certainly say to people that now is the time to get it and, of course, from Monday, we will be contracting the interval so you go down to three months and that will lead to a big uptick in the programme as well.”