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Covid: London 'major incident' declared due to Omicron rise | Covid: London 'major incident' declared due to Omicron rise |
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Watch Sadiq Khan as he declares a major incident in London over Omicron | |
The Mayor of London has declared a "major incident" due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the capital. | The Mayor of London has declared a "major incident" due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the capital. |
Sadiq Khan said Omicron was now the "dominant variant" in London and was having an impact on staff absences in the emergency services across the city. | Sadiq Khan said Omicron was now the "dominant variant" in London and was having an impact on staff absences in the emergency services across the city. |
He said London was the UK region with the largest number of Covid cases. | He said London was the UK region with the largest number of Covid cases. |
Latest government data shows there are 1,534 Covid patients in London hospitals - up 28.6% on last week. | Latest government data shows there are 1,534 Covid patients in London hospitals - up 28.6% on last week. |
Mr Khan said in the last 24 hours, London had seen the largest number of new cases since the coronavirus pandemic began - more than 26,000. | Mr Khan said in the last 24 hours, London had seen the largest number of new cases since the coronavirus pandemic began - more than 26,000. |
He added: "Hospital admissions are going up, but also staff absences are going up by a massive level. | He added: "Hospital admissions are going up, but also staff absences are going up by a massive level. |
"So I've taken the decision in consultation with our partners to declare a major incident today." | "So I've taken the decision in consultation with our partners to declare a major incident today." |
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Stamford Bridge - one of the pop-up vaccine centres set up this weekend | Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Stamford Bridge - one of the pop-up vaccine centres set up this weekend |
Major incidents have previously been called in response to the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 and the terror attacks at Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. | Major incidents have previously been called in response to the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 and the terror attacks at Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. |
A major incident is any emergency which requires the implementation of special arrangements by one or all of the emergency services, the NHS or the local authority. | A major incident is any emergency which requires the implementation of special arrangements by one or all of the emergency services, the NHS or the local authority. |
It means the emergency services and hospitals cannot guarantee their normal level of response. | It means the emergency services and hospitals cannot guarantee their normal level of response. |
Mr Khan also declared a major incident on 8 January due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 and its impact on the health service. | |
It was in place until 26 February as case numbers in the capital fell. | |
Demonstrators took part in a protest against the Covid-19 vaccination programme and vaccine passports in Parliament Square on Saturday | Demonstrators took part in a protest against the Covid-19 vaccination programme and vaccine passports in Parliament Square on Saturday |
Making the announcement on Saturday, Mr Khan said: "The really bad news is those in hospital - the vast, vast majority are unvaccinated that's why it is so important to get both the vaccines and the booster jab. | |
"Londoners will notice over the course of the next few days even more places across the city offering both the vaccines and the booster. | "Londoners will notice over the course of the next few days even more places across the city offering both the vaccines and the booster. |
"What we can't afford to see is even more of our crucial key workers going off sick because they have this virus." | "What we can't afford to see is even more of our crucial key workers going off sick because they have this virus." |
Mr Khan's comments came as Wembley Stadium, Stamford Bridge and The Valley were all set up as mass vaccination centres. | Mr Khan's comments came as Wembley Stadium, Stamford Bridge and The Valley were all set up as mass vaccination centres. |
Oxford Street will also have a vaccination bus and Mr Khan urged people who were eligible to get a booster jab and for others to make sure they were vaccinated. | Oxford Street will also have a vaccination bus and Mr Khan urged people who were eligible to get a booster jab and for others to make sure they were vaccinated. |
He said: "It is still the case that in some pockets of London there are black Londoners, there are Muslim Londoners, there are Jewish Londoners, there are Eastern European Londoners, who still haven't had a vaccine. | He said: "It is still the case that in some pockets of London there are black Londoners, there are Muslim Londoners, there are Jewish Londoners, there are Eastern European Londoners, who still haven't had a vaccine. |
"So reaching out to those communities...to explain why the vaccine is important and to make sure nobody is left behind, we are making sure more Londoners get the first dose." | "So reaching out to those communities...to explain why the vaccine is important and to make sure nobody is left behind, we are making sure more Londoners get the first dose." |
The Mayor of London has urged people to get a booster vaccination as soon as possible | The Mayor of London has urged people to get a booster vaccination as soon as possible |
Latest government figures show 2.7m Londoners have received their booster jab. | |
Georgia Gould, chair of London Councils, said: "The rapid spread of Omicron across our city is of huge concern. | |
"Local councils have stepped up and played a vital role in supporting their communities through the pandemic. I know they will continue with these efforts, but we cannot do this alone." | |
New restrictions have come into force in London in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus | |
The mayor's decision was announced as Cabinet ministers were set to be briefed on the latest Covid data. | The mayor's decision was announced as Cabinet ministers were set to be briefed on the latest Covid data. |
Omicron is now thought to be the dominant Covid variant in England and Scotland, replacing Delta. | Omicron is now thought to be the dominant Covid variant in England and Scotland, replacing Delta. |
On Friday, the UK saw another record number of daily Covid cases for the third consecutive day, with more than 93,000 infections confirmed. | On Friday, the UK saw another record number of daily Covid cases for the third consecutive day, with more than 93,000 infections confirmed. |
But there were also a record 861,306 booster and third dose vaccine jabs administered - the highest daily total so far. | But there were also a record 861,306 booster and third dose vaccine jabs administered - the highest daily total so far. |