The first suspected cases of the omicron covid variant have been found in the Harrogate district.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows there have been five possible cases so far.

in the week to December 6, one covid sample in the district failed an S-gene test, which is a sign that a sample may be omicron.

Four failed in the previous week.

The UKHSA estimates that if omicron continues to grow at the present rate, the variant will become the dominant strain, accounting for more than 50% of all covid infections in the UK by mid-December.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at 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 suggests this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible.”

The Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site in Harrogate is asking people to turn up for walk-in boosters between 1.30pm and 4pm today as it was busy with booked appointments this morning.

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The army could be drafted in to help with the Harrogate district’s booster vaccine rollout amid concern about the new coronavirus variant Omicron.

Public health officials in North Yorkshire said today they were looking at ways to increase capacity for vaccines after the minimum gap for boosters was halved to three months.

More sites, more vaccines and use of the army are among the options being considered.

The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate will re-open as a vaccine site for coronavirus booster jabs on Monday.

It was scheduled to operate for just over a fortnight until December 22 but in a press conference today, public health officials confirmed they were in talks to extend this until March.

So far in North Yorkshire and York, the booster rollout in over-75s is 89% complete, 70 to 74-year-olds is 86% complete, 65 to 69-year-olds is 72% complete and 60 to 64-year-olds is 53% complete.

Boosters are below 50% for the remaining cohorts. Among 55 to 59-year-olds it is at 39%, 50 to 54-year-olds are at 32% and 40 to 49-year-olds are at 19%.

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Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“Across North Yorkshire we are currently adapting our vaccination programme to deliver a significantly enhanced booster offer.

“This includes exploring some of the following options. We are looking at more sites coming online, including both hospitals and pharmacy sites.

“We are looking at some of the existing sites we have got doing more vaccinations. We are also looking to recruit more support to help deliver vaccinations.

“We are thinking about support from military personnel nationally and also we anticipate a national effort to recruit additional volunteers to help deliver the programme.

“All of these actions are underway across North Yorkshire and they are happening at pace.”

The Harrogate district has reported a further 111 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

The district’s covid rate now stands at 494 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 457 and the England rate is 439.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

Latest available figures show 14 covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Today, the government announced that booster vaccines would be extended to all adults aged over-18 amid concern over the new Omicron variant.

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The gap between a second dose and booster has also been cut to three months.

There is currently no data available on the number of booster vaccines administered in the Harrogate district.

However, 17.8 million have been given nationally.