Confirmed cases of the Omicron Covid variant have been discovered in  Hertsmere.

The government has this afternoon (Friday) released localised figures for the variant of concern which show that as of November 29 there were three confirmed cases in the borough.

There have also been five 'S-gene target failures' (SGTF) identified in Hertsmere as of December 6. An SGTF is a characteristic of Omicron.

Confirming cases of Omicron requires further sequencing but S-gene target failure can be detected immediately with positive cases.

The data does not reveal exactly where in Hertsmere residents who have tested positive for the new variant live but major Hertsmere settlements include Borehamwood, Bushey, Radlett, and Potters Bar. 

Elsehwhere, in Watford, there have been two confirmed Omicron cases and five SGTF's.

Three Rivers district had two confirmed cases on November 22, then two more and two SGTFs on November 29, before four more SGTFs on December 6.

Overall in England there were 448 confirmed cases as of December 8.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said today the Omicron strain of coronavirus is expected to become the dominant variant in the UK by mid-December.

In a briefing on Friday, the UKHSA said if current trends continue unchanged, the UK will exceed one million Omicron infections by the end of the month.

Analysis of 581 people with confirmed Omicron cases showed the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines provided "much lower" levels of protection against Omicron when compared with the Delta variant.

But the UKHSA said preliminary data showed vaccine effectiveness "considerably increased" in the early period after a booster dose, providing around 70 to 75 per cent protection against symptomatic infection.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UKHSA, said: "These early estimates should be treated with caution but they indicate that a few months after the second jab, there is a greater risk of catching the Omicron variant compared to Delta strain.

"The data suggest this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible. We expect the vaccines to show higher protection against the serious complications of Covid-19, so if you haven’t yet had your first two doses please book an appointment straight away."

More to follow.