This is how many Omicron Covid cases there are in Horsham and Mid Sussex

The UK Health Security Agency has published a breakdown of Omicron cases by English local authority, up to December 6.
By Matt Pole
Published 13th Dec 2021, 11:35 BST
Updated 13th Dec 2021, 11:41 BST
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In Horsham, there have been four confirmed Omicron cases while there has been one S-gene dropout case.

About one in every six positive PCR tests are sent for genome sequencing to determine which variant they are - a process which can take many days.

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A quicker way to spot potential Omicron cases is to look for a marker called the S-gene, which is missing in variants such as Omicron and Alpha but present in Delta cases.

The UK Health Security Agency has published a breakdown of Omicron cases by English local authority, up to December 6The UK Health Security Agency has published a breakdown of Omicron cases by English local authority, up to December 6
The UK Health Security Agency has published a breakdown of Omicron cases by English local authority, up to December 6

Once identified, swabs showing so-called ‘S-gene dropout’ can then be sent for definitive testing for Omicron.

In Mid Sussex, there have so far been no confirmed Omicron cases but there have been five S-gene dropout cases.

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