UK has reported an increase in cases of rapidly spreading Omicron Coronavirus variant on Saturday, and the mayor of London declared a “major breakdown” to help the capital’s hospitals following a sharp rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
The UK’s Health Security Authority (UKHSA) said the total number of Omicron cases recorded nationwide reached nearly 25,000 as of 1800 GMT on Friday, an increase of more than 10,000 cases from 24 hours earlier, the Agency said. UK Health Security (UKHSA) said in its latest data.
Seven people believed to have the Omicron variant died on Thursday, up from one death in previous UKHSA data as of Tuesday. The hospitalization rate of people thought to have this variant increased to 85 from 65.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan declared a “major incident”, allowing closer coordination between different public authorities and possibly more central government support, as the number of people hospitalized with COVID -19 in the city increased by nearly 30% this week.
He said the absence of medical staff has also increased.
“I have made the decision, in consultation with my partners, to declare a major incident today,” Khan said during a visit to Stamford Bridge, the club’s home ground. Chelsea Football Club, which is being used as a mass vaccination center.
“This is a statement about the gravity of things,” he said.
Khan, from the opposition Labor Party, also claimed a major breakdown in January, when rising COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals.
The Omicron variant accounts for more than 80% of new COVID-19 cases in London, officials said on Friday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair an emergency committee meeting over the weekend with the relevant authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have separate powers over public health.
Sky News said government ministers were briefed on the latest coronavirus data on Saturday.
The Times reports that officials are preparing a draft of new rules that, if applied, would ban in-house bartending in the UK except for working the two weeks after Christmas when pubs and restaurants will be closed. Limited outdoor table service.
The newspaper said people can meet in groups of up to six people outdoors.
But ministers have yet to formally consider the plans, The Times said.
“We’re not shutting everything down,” Johnson said Friday.
A government spokesman, asked about The Times report, said the government would continue to “review all emerging data closely and we will keep our measures in check during the review.” as we learn more about this variation.”
The total number of new COVID-19 cases reported in official data fell to 90,418 cases from a record high of more than 93,000 on Friday, but that is still the country’s second-highest daily case count. The figures usually drop at the end of the week.
The number of cases increased 44.4% in the seven days to December 18 compared with the previous week.
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https://globalnews.ca/news/8461150/britain-covid-19-omicron-cases/ UK reports 10,000 new Omicron cases, ‘major incident’ declared in London – National
