The UK Covid alert level has been raised following a rapid increase in Omicron cases being recorded, but what does it mean?
Previously the UK Covid Alert level was at Level 3, but the UK's four chief medical officers and NHS England’s national medical director have recommended to ministers that the threat level goes up to Level 4.
Downing Street has confirmed Boris Johnson will address the nation at 8pm tonight, December 10, to give a public update about the booster vaccine programme.
The message will be pre-recorded, which means questions will not be able to be asked, and new restrictions are not expected to be announced.
Why is the Covid alert level being raised?
The decision to increase the alert level follows advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) after a further 1,239 confirmed cases of the Omicron mutation were recorded in the UK as of today, December 12.
It brings the total number of UK cases of Omicron to 3,137, a 65% increase from Saturday’s total of 1,898 UK cases.
The latest regional data on Omicron shows that two cases were recorded in Wiltshire, with seven further 'probable' cases.
#OmicronVariant latest information
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 12, 2021
1239 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of #COVID19 have been reported across the UK.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 Omicron cases in the UK is 3137. pic.twitter.com/vQFep3RiVe
Increasing the UK Covid alert level to Level 4 means the epidemic is “in general circulation, transmission is high and direct Covid-19 pressure on healthcare services is widespread and substantial or rising”, according to Government guidance.
READ MORE: 8 potential signs and symptoms of Omicron to watch out for as England cases rise
What do the scientists say about Omicron?
In a joint statement, the CMOs and NHS England’s Professor Stephen Powis said the emergence of Omicron “adds additional and rapidly increasing risk to the public and healthcare services”.
They added: “Early evidence shows that Omicron is spreading much faster than Delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic disease from Omicron is reduced.
“Data on severity will become clearer over the coming weeks but hospitalisations from Omicron are already occurring and these are likely to increase rapidly.
The five officials, including England’s CMO Professor Chris Whitty, Northern Ireland’s Sir Michael McBride, Scotland’s Professor Gregor Smith, and Wales’ Dr Frank Atherton, said the NHS was already under pressure “mainly driven by non-Covid pressures”, with Omicron’s ability to escape vaccines “likely” to add to those demands.
They said: “It is extremely important that if you are eligible, you get your Covid vaccination now – whether this be your first, second or booster dose,” they said.
“People should continue to take sensible precautions including ventilating rooms, using face coverings, testing regularly and isolating when symptomatic.”
Delighted to get my second #COVID19Vaccine jab yesterday evening. Thanks once again to all the wonderful @GSTTnhs staff and volunteers at the vaccination centre, especially Issi and Miguel who looked after me so brilliantly. Make sure you get your jab too when the invite comes! pic.twitter.com/tDoxg9w139
— NHSEnglandNMD (@NHSEnglandNMD) May 20, 2021
Should we be worried?
The latest development comes after the UK Health Security Agency warned more restrictions may be needed to tackle Omicron, with the UK facing an “inevitable” large wave of infections.
That is according to Dr Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser for the UKHSA, who said more measures may be needed, adding that the Government has “very difficult” decisions ahead, even after triggering its winter Plan B proposals, which include introducing Covid passports for large venues
Omicron cases have been linked to Covid hospitalisations although at the time of writing no deaths have yet been reported as a result of contracting it.
Dr Hopkins told the BBC: “I think that the restrictions that the Government have announced are sensible. I think that we may need to go beyond them. But we’ll need to watch carefully what happens with hospitalisations."
How will booster vaccines help with the spread of Omicron?
Education Secretary and former vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi described the UK as in a “race” to get the coronavirus booster to eligible adults “as quickly as possible”.
Analysis by the UKHSA has found that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines provide “much lower” levels of protection against symptomatic infection with Omicron compared with Delta.
But the UKHSA said a booster dose gives around 70% to 75% protection against symptomatic infection with Omicron, as it urged people to have their boosters.
All eligible adults can book their booster jab two months (61 days) after their second dose using the NHS national booking system, getting their top-up in protection three months (91 days) on from their second dose.
Thanks very much to the ever efficient team at Salisbury Medical Practice for my booster injection this morning @SalisburyCC @SalisburyNHS @journalupdate pic.twitter.com/KQHjVPLyV3
— John Glen MP (@JohnGlenUK) December 11, 2021
The national booking system will open to everyone aged 30 to 39 in England from Monday.
Meanwhile, double-jabbed people identified as a contact of someone with Covid-19 in England will be told to take a daily rapid test for seven days from Tuesday.
Unvaccinated adults are not eligible for the new daily testing policy and they must self-isolate for 10 days if they are a contact of someone who tests positive.
The NHS is getting ready to offer more people a COVID-19 booster vaccine, and will prioritise those at greatest risk.
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) December 12, 2021
The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn. If you are already eligible, book yours today. https://t.co/1e3nCAUFcB pic.twitter.com/v4OKDALYSt
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