Omicron cases up 65% in 24 hours as Britons urge to buy booster
OMICRON cases have increased by 65% in 24 hours as Britons are encouraged to use their life-boosting Covid shots.
An additional 1,239 cases of Omicron were recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed variant cases to 3,137.
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The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) said mutation cases had increased over the past day as concerns continued to grow for Omicron.
Yesterday, 633 new cases of the variant were recorded – meaning mutation cases are increasing with today’s 1,239 infections.
However, the health authority has provided the first batch of UK-based evidence for the vaccine’s effectiveness against the virus strain – suggesting that three shots offer much better protection than two noses.
No10 is trying to stem the winter surge and is begging the British to take their boosters as The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign coordinates its recruits.
This comes as MPs are said to have been warned to be “on hold” to vote on new restrictions over the Christmas week as Omicron continues to grip the nation.
Plan C could be enacted before Christmas as MPs have been told to prepare for Parliament’s recall on December 21 if the Covid situation turns around, it has been reported.
This means that wearing masks indoors and serving tables at pubs and bars can reopen before the festive season.
And according to sources, Plan D has been considered – which will force bettors to dine alfresco once again.
A Health Department source said: “If you go by the science, we really should be doing Plan C now. The Prime Minister is gambling with the NHS to save his leadership.
“But we all know the Prime Minister cannot let anything happen at Christmas. That really took a toll on him in the last round. To do that again would be killer. “
Boris is said to be hoping he can postpone any necessary new restrictions until New Year’s Day at the earliest.
Professor Stephen Reicher of the University of St Andrews added: “Omicron is coming to us like an express train. We have to slow down to buy time or we’ll have a Christmas crisis.”
Meanwhile, Sajid Javid has been tipped to activate Plan C restrictions within a WEEK by dismal health officials, it has been reported.
Read our Omicron live blog for the latest updates
The Health Secretary has been accused by doom-expectants at the UK Health and Security Service that Omicron risks overwhelming the NHS as 5,000 Britons could be hospitalized each day.
However – a third stab could work against Omicron and save us from more low back pain, a mental boost study says.
Experts say any two doses plus the booster Pfizer can provide up to 75% protection.
Three shots also better protect against serious illness or death – but two doses soon won’t prevent even a third of cases.
“This data shows the importance of boosters,” said Javid.
Mary Ramsay, director of jabs at UKHSA, said: “These early estimates suggest that, several months after the second jab, the risk of catching Omicron is higher than that of Delta.
“But the data show that this risk is significantly reduced after booster vaccination.
“We expect the vaccine to show greater protection against serious complications of Covid-19.”
More to follow…
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https://www.the-sun.com/health/4256826/omicron-cases-rise-booster-jabs/ Omicron cases up 65% in 24 hours as Britons urge to buy booster
