UK raises COVID-19 alert level as Omicron continues to spread

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UK raises COVID-19 alert level as Omicron continues to spread #Baaghi

Dec 13, 2021: The UK has raised its COVID-19 alert level from three to four in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron corona virus variant.

This was on the recommendation of the country’s chief medical officers. “Preliminary evidence suggests that Omicron is spreading faster than the Delta and that Omicron has reduced vaccine protection against symptomatic disease,” the government said in a statement.

Upgrading to Level Four means that health officials feel the transmission rate is high and is putting pressure on healthcare services.

Last week, Johnson introduced the “Plan B” COVID-19 measures for England, ordering people to work from home, wear masks in public places and use vaccine passes to reduce the spread of Omicron. In recent days, the seven-day average of COVID cases has averaged more than 50,000 – the highest since the peak of January during the last wave of cases.

As of Sunday, 146,439 deaths had been recorded within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, with the UK accounting for the highest number of deaths in Europe from the virus.

The UK is facing an “tidal wave” of coronavirus-type omicron type and two doses of the vaccine will not be enough to control it, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Sunday, when he called for acceleration of the booster rollout program. Speaking just hours after government scientists raised the level of COVID alerts to 4 on a 5-point scale.

“A tidal wave is coming,” Johnson said in a televised statement Sunday evening. “And I’m afraid it has now become clear that two doses of the vaccine are not enough to give us all the level of protection we need.”

He added that scientists knew that omicron was highly transferable and that the National Health Service would struggle to deal with hospital admissions if this type tears through an unboosted population. “Everyone in England 18 years and older will have the opportunity to receive their booster before the new year,” he said.

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Omicron more transmissible but causes less severe symptoms: WHO

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