Omicron in UK: Millions Will be Isolated on Christmas Eve

In the UK, more than 1 million people might be isolating on their own on Christmas Day, as Omicron, the new Covid variant is spreading 'unbelievably fast.'

More than 1 million people in the UK might be isolating on their own on Christmas Day, reports Daily Mail.

England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned the Cabinet during an update on Tuesday that the new Covid variant was spreading 'unbelievably fast'.

Vaccines and Previous Infection Could Offer Some �Stronger Than Basic� Protection to Omicron
People with previous COVID-19 infection and those vaccinated will have some “stronger than basic” defence against Omicron variant of COVID-19, suggested study.

‘Omicron, the new Covid variant, is spreading unbelievably fast and cases are doubling every two to three days.’

According to official estimates, the speed at which the Omicron variant is spreading means that four times more people are likely to be isolating with Covid this Christmas than last December 25, when household mixing was banned across much of the country and a third national shutdown was imminent, the report said.

Anyone becoming ill from today onwards will still be in the required ten-day isolation period on Christmas Day.

Yesterday there were more than 4,700 confirmed Omicron cases, and Ministers claim the number is doubling every two days. At this rate, almost 100,000 people will be confirmed with Omicron on Christmas Eve, and around 1 million will be isolating the next day, the report said.

Omicron In India: 25 Cases Detected
In India, so far a total of 25 cases of new Covid variant Omicron have been detected, said a top Health Ministry official.

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs that even if Omicron turned out to be less severe than the Delta variant, the fact it spreads so easily meant 'it still has the potential to overwhelm the NHS'.

He told Ministers that modelers believe Omicron cases may already be running at '200,000 a day' and 'doubling every two to three days'. However, some experts have cast doubt on the figure, which is far higher than the official Covid total and which is based on disputed mathematical modelling. Downing Street insisted the projection was 'valid', the report said.

Omicron to Become Dominant Covid-19 Variant in the US
Omicron variant that was first identified in South Africa, is likely to become a dominant Covid-19 variant in the US.

Prof Whitty also warned Ministers that astronomical infection rates will spark staff shortages in pubs, restaurants and shops.

Report Says Omicron Infections in UK to Touch 200,000 Daily
In the UK, the number of daily Omicron infections has been estimated as being at 200,000, revealed UK Health Security Agency.

Source-IANS