The number of cases of the rapidly transmissibleOmicron variant of thecoronavirus has risen rapidly to almost25,000while the total number of reported deaths in people infected with it so far is seven, according to the UK health authorities.
t№10 The confirmed number of cases of the Omicron variant was 24.968 yesterday at 21:00 local time, 10,000 more cases than 24 hours earlier, the UK Health Protection Agency said today.t№12 Deaths of people infected with Omicron rose to seven on 16 December, up from one recorded by the Agency up to 14 December. At the same time, the number of hospitalisations rose from 65 to 85.
t№14 Given this situation, London Mayor Sadiq Khan today declared a "major incident
" to help the British capital's hospitals manage the increase in cases caused by the fast-transmitting Omicron.t№18 Khan took the step, which allows for closer coordination between different public services following yesterday's announcement of the largest increase in new cases in 24 hours since the start of the pandemic.t№20 Hospitalisations and sick leave for health workers are increasing, Khan said"and so I took the decision, in cooperation with our partners, to declare a major incident today."
t№23t№25 "This is an indication of how serious things are,"
he noted.Khan, of the opposition Labour Party, had also declared a "major incident" in January when rising cases ofcoronavirus
threatened to overwhelm hospitals.t№32 Omicron is estimated to account for more than 80 per cent of new cases in London.t№34 Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to chair an emergency committee meeting over the weekend with the local governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have their own public health policies.t№36
Sky Newsreported that government ministers were being briefed today on the latest developments in the pandemic.t№40 The Times newspaper wrote that officials are preparing a set of new regulations which, if enforced, would ban gatherings in homes between members from different households in England, except for work, after Christmas when restaurants would only be allowed to serve outdoors.t№42 The newspaper wrote that people would be allowed to meet in groups of up to six and outdoors.
t№44 But, as noted in the paper, ministers have yet to formally consider the plans.t№46 A government spokesman, asked about the paper, replied that the government would continue
"to closely examine all the evidence that emerges and review all measures as we learn more about thisvariant
".t№51Source: APE-MPA
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