A new Omicron sub-variant of coronavirus has started to spread across the world. According to new data eight cases of the new variant, called Arcturus, have been identified in Wales.
While mass testing is no longer being carried out in Wales testing is still routinely carried out in hospitals. As of April 17 there have been 120 cases of Arcturus reported in the UK of which five proved fatal according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The virus has spread across the country and according to the data is present across the UK in all but one region, which is the northeast of England. London is the current hotspot with 31 confirmed cases followed by the northwest with 22 cases then the southeast with 19 and the east of England with 10. Wales has eight cases, the west midlands has six, Scotland has five, the east midlands four, the southwest three, Northern Ireland two, Yorkshire and the Humber one, and the northeast none.
