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UK Covid live: Sajid Javid says Omicron makes up 20% of cases in England UK Covid live: Sajid Javid says Omicron makes up 20% of cases in England
(31 minutes later)
Latest updates: health secretary tells MPs no variant has spread as fast as confirmed cases of the variant rise 50% in a dayLatest updates: health secretary tells MPs no variant has spread as fast as confirmed cases of the variant rise 50% in a day
A health source has clarified what Sajid Javid meant in the Commons when he implied Omicron infections were running at 200,000 per day. (See 4.19pm and 5.2opm.)
Javid was referring to Omicron infections, not Covid infections.
But he was referring to a UK Health Security Agency estimate for the number of people who currently are infected with Omicron, not to the number who are catching the infection for the first time every day.
The Scottish parliament has again cancelled an evidence session with Nicola Sturgeon this week after the authorities reduced in-person hearings because of the fresh Covid crisis. The decision means the first minister has avoided around four potential witness sessions on her policies due to restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
The first minister was due to be quizzed by all Holyrood’s committee convenors on Wednesday, in a session which has previously lasted several hours. These sessions are supposed to take place every six months: the last was in November 2019.
In a statement, Holyrood said:
During his statement in the Commons Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said he wanted strict travel rules for people arriving in the UK eased given the spread of Omicron already in this country.
Labour’s Ben Bradshaw called for the “very draconian, costly and complex” travel rules introduced only recently to try and stop Omicron arriving in the UK to be dropped.
Javid replied:
Getting booster jabs to all Scots aged 18 and above by the end of this year will be a “monumental challenge”, Nicola Sturgeon has conceded. PA Media says:Getting booster jabs to all Scots aged 18 and above by the end of this year will be a “monumental challenge”, Nicola Sturgeon has conceded. PA Media says:
NHS leaders in England have told MPs that they would be “irresponsible” not to approve the government’s Plan B when parliament votes on its provisions tomorrow. Matthew Taylor, chef executive of the NHS Confederation, said:NHS leaders in England have told MPs that they would be “irresponsible” not to approve the government’s Plan B when parliament votes on its provisions tomorrow. Matthew Taylor, chef executive of the NHS Confederation, said:
Failing to put in place measures to slow the spread of coronavirus could lead to much tougher restrictions being introduced next year, Taylor added. The NHS Confederation represents NHS care provider organisations in England and Wales.Failing to put in place measures to slow the spread of coronavirus could lead to much tougher restrictions being introduced next year, Taylor added. The NHS Confederation represents NHS care provider organisations in England and Wales.
Taylor went on:Taylor went on:
In his opening statement Sajid Javid seemed to be talking about there being 200,000 Omicron infections per day, but he may have been talking about 200,000 Covid infections per day over all. The Department of Health and Social Care have been asked to clarify this, and an official is due to call me back. In the meantime I have taken down the headline on the post at 4.19pm.In his opening statement Sajid Javid seemed to be talking about there being 200,000 Omicron infections per day, but he may have been talking about 200,000 Covid infections per day over all. The Department of Health and Social Care have been asked to clarify this, and an official is due to call me back. In the meantime I have taken down the headline on the post at 4.19pm.
Recorded Covid cases are running at around 50,000 per day - today’s figure is 54,661 - but many people who are ill do not do a test, and many people get infected asymptomatically.Recorded Covid cases are running at around 50,000 per day - today’s figure is 54,661 - but many people who are ill do not do a test, and many people get infected asymptomatically.
The ONS Covid surveillance report published last week estimated that more than one million people in the UK had the virus, but that was covering the week ending 1 December.The ONS Covid surveillance report published last week estimated that more than one million people in the UK had the virus, but that was covering the week ending 1 December.
Mark Harper, chair of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group, asked for an assurance that the government would recall parliament over Christmas if it wants to tighten regulations.Mark Harper, chair of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group, asked for an assurance that the government would recall parliament over Christmas if it wants to tighten regulations.
He has been asking this question repeatedly in recent days without getting an assurance MPs would get a vote. And Javid did not give him one today. He just said there were no plans for further restrictions over the recess.He has been asking this question repeatedly in recent days without getting an assurance MPs would get a vote. And Javid did not give him one today. He just said there were no plans for further restrictions over the recess.
The i’s Paul Waugh says that, judging by Sajid Javid’s comments in this statement, now seems keen to argue that the plan for Covid passes, or passports, isn’t really about these documents at all.The i’s Paul Waugh says that, judging by Sajid Javid’s comments in this statement, now seems keen to argue that the plan for Covid passes, or passports, isn’t really about these documents at all.
Iain Duncan Smith (Con) asked if the government would get rid of the rule requiring people to wait in a clinic for 15 minutes after getting a Pfizer or Moderna jab. (See 3.37pm.) Javid said this was being “very actively looked at” and an announcement would be coming soon.Iain Duncan Smith (Con) asked if the government would get rid of the rule requiring people to wait in a clinic for 15 minutes after getting a Pfizer or Moderna jab. (See 3.37pm.) Javid said this was being “very actively looked at” and an announcement would be coming soon.
In his opening statement Sajid Javid also announced that once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get a booster, the Covid pass rules will change so that only people who have had the booster count as fully vaccinatedIn his opening statement Sajid Javid also announced that once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get a booster, the Covid pass rules will change so that only people who have had the booster count as fully vaccinated
That means early in the new year, presumably, given the govrenment wants all adults to have the chance to get a booster before the end of the month.That means early in the new year, presumably, given the govrenment wants all adults to have the chance to get a booster before the end of the month.
The Labour MP Ben Bradshaw says almost all Tory MPs in the chamber this afternoon are wearing a mask.The Labour MP Ben Bradshaw says almost all Tory MPs in the chamber this afternoon are wearing a mask.
At the afternoon lobby briefing Downing Street indicated schools in England would only be closed in “the direst ... emergency”.At the afternoon lobby briefing Downing Street indicated schools in England would only be closed in “the direst ... emergency”.
The PM’s spokesman said:The PM’s spokesman said:
Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said that Labour supported the target of getting vaccinations up to 1m per day. He said this may prove impossible, “but we applaud the ambition”. He went on:Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said that Labour supported the target of getting vaccinations up to 1m per day. He said this may prove impossible, “but we applaud the ambition”. He went on:
But he suggested Javid was “living on a different planet” if he thought lateral flow tests were easily available.But he suggested Javid was “living on a different planet” if he thought lateral flow tests were easily available.
And he ended with what he said were words aimed directly at members of the public. He said:And he ended with what he said were words aimed directly at members of the public. He said:
Javid says we have also learned that a booster jab provides strong protection against Omicron.Javid says we have also learned that a booster jab provides strong protection against Omicron.
He repeats what Boris Johnson announced last night about the booster rollout being speeded up. To meet the target of every adult getting a booster, vaccinations will have to take rate at a much faster rate than before.He repeats what Boris Johnson announced last night about the booster rollout being speeded up. To meet the target of every adult getting a booster, vaccinations will have to take rate at a much faster rate than before.
He says people who have had Covid recently should wait 28 days until after their infection before getting the booster.He says people who have had Covid recently should wait 28 days until after their infection before getting the booster.
He confirms that non-urgent medical appointment are being postponed.He confirms that non-urgent medical appointment are being postponed.
He says MPs are voting on the new restrictions tomorrow.He says MPs are voting on the new restrictions tomorrow.
And he says from tomorrow a fully-vaccinated contact of an Omicron case will be able to take a lateral flow test every day, instead of having to self-isolate.And he says from tomorrow a fully-vaccinated contact of an Omicron case will be able to take a lateral flow test every day, instead of having to self-isolate.
He says the Covid pass for international travel will be rolled out for 12- to 15-year-olds.He says the Covid pass for international travel will be rolled out for 12- to 15-year-olds.
And he says, “with a heavy heart”, the government is limiting visits to people in care homes to just three nominated visitors, not including nominated care-givers.And he says, “with a heavy heart”, the government is limiting visits to people in care homes to just three nominated visitors, not including nominated care-givers.
Sajid Javid says no variant has spread as fast as Omicron.Sajid Javid says no variant has spread as fast as Omicron.
He says that infections are estimated to currently be running at 200,000 per day.He says that infections are estimated to currently be running at 200,000 per day.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, starts by expressing his disappointment that Boris Johnson is not making this statement himself.Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, starts by expressing his disappointment that Boris Johnson is not making this statement himself.
He says given the PM made a TV statement last night he should have been here in person.He says given the PM made a TV statement last night he should have been here in person.
He says he is really, really disappointed TV is taking precedence over the Commons.He says he is really, really disappointed TV is taking precedence over the Commons.
UPDATE: Hoyle said:UPDATE: Hoyle said:
Sajid Javid, the health secretary, is about to make a statement to MPs about Covid.Sajid Javid, the health secretary, is about to make a statement to MPs about Covid.