LONDON: England raised the Covid warning level on Sunday in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, because the medical authority warned that hospitalization tended to rise sharply over the coming weeks.
British, Scottish, Wales and Northern Ireland medical officers recommend a level 4 increase from level 3 on a scale of 5 points, which means they assess viral transmission to be high.
“Preliminary evidence shows that Omicron spreads much faster than Delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic disease from omicron decreases,” they said.
England on Sunday announced additional steps to stop the spread of omicron, including the extension of the JAB Booster to people above 30.
“Omicron is expected to be a dominant tension in mid-December,” said Javid’s Health Secretary Sajid.
The government has set a target to give everyone aged 18 years to the Jab Booster at the end of January.
More than 30 can get the third dose from next week.
On Sunday, Government Minister Nadim Zahawi said the first person with Omicron was taken to the hospital.
In London, Omicron is now responsible for one third of all Covid-19 cases.
Meanwhile, PM Boris Johnson can face more anger for reports that he personally violated the rules of locking a year ago.
Mirror reported that he hosted the Christmas quiz from his street residence on December 15, when England was under the order “not mix”.