This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59776415

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Covid: Glimmer of Christmas hope on Omicron, says Jenny Harries Covid: Glimmer of Christmas hope on Omicron, says Jenny Harries
(32 minutes later)
UK Health Security Agency findings that Omicron may be less likely to result in serious illness than Delta offer a "glimmer of Christmas hope", its chief executive has told the BBC. Official findings that Omicron may be less likely to result in serious illness than Delta offer a "glimmer of Christmas hope", the head of the UK Health Security Agency has said.
But Jenny Harries added it was too early to retract her statement that the variant was the most serious threat the UK had faced during the pandemic. But Jenny Harries told the BBC it was too early to retract her statement that the variant was the most serious threat the UK had faced during the pandemic.
The UKHSA's findings are "preliminary", she said, and data around Omicron's impact on the elderly is still needed.The UKHSA's findings are "preliminary", she said, and data around Omicron's impact on the elderly is still needed.
Meanwhile, UK cases continue to surge.Meanwhile, UK cases continue to surge.
A record 119,789 new infections were reported on Thursday. A record 119,789 new Covid infections were reported on Thursday.
Responding to UKHSA analysis that those cases with Omicron - now the UK's dominant strain - are less likely to need hospital care, Dr Harries told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is a glimmer of Christmas hope... but it definitely isn't yet at the point where we could downgrade that serious threat. Responding to UKHSA analysis that those cases with Omicron - now the UK's dominant strain - are less likely to need hospital care, Dr Harries told Radio 4's Today programme: "There is a glimmer of Christmas hope... but it definitely isn't yet at the point where we could downgrade that serious threat.
"What we have got now is a really fine balance between something that looks like a lower risk of hospitalisation - which is great news - but equally a highly transmissible variant and one that we know evades some of our immune defences, so it is a very balanced position.""What we have got now is a really fine balance between something that looks like a lower risk of hospitalisation - which is great news - but equally a highly transmissible variant and one that we know evades some of our immune defences, so it is a very balanced position."
Omicron: Good news, bad news and what it all meansOmicron: Good news, bad news and what it all means
How many people can get together at Christmas?How many people can get together at Christmas?
When should I take a Covid test now? Covid boosters paused over Christmas in Wales
The UKHSA estimates that someone with Omicron is between 31% and 45% less likely to attend A&E and 50% to 70% less likely to be admitted to hospital than an individual with the Delta variant.The UKHSA estimates that someone with Omicron is between 31% and 45% less likely to attend A&E and 50% to 70% less likely to be admitted to hospital than an individual with the Delta variant.
However, Dr Harries warned there was much that is still unknown about Omicron.However, Dr Harries warned there was much that is still unknown about Omicron.
"We don't yet know what the average length of stay for an individual is in a hospital," she said."We don't yet know what the average length of stay for an individual is in a hospital," she said.
"We're not seeing very significant rises in intensive care utilisation or in the use of ventilation beds. Now that may be because a lot of the people who've been infected to date are actually younger people and we will see that coming through.""We're not seeing very significant rises in intensive care utilisation or in the use of ventilation beds. Now that may be because a lot of the people who've been infected to date are actually younger people and we will see that coming through."
But if the severity of the disease is actually "significantly lower than Delta" then some of the impact on the NHS may be less severe, she added.But if the severity of the disease is actually "significantly lower than Delta" then some of the impact on the NHS may be less severe, she added.
Omicron: What we know so farOmicron: What we know so far
This variant is very contagious - it spreads faster than others and can infect people even if they are fully vaccinatedThis variant is very contagious - it spreads faster than others and can infect people even if they are fully vaccinated
Vaccines and boosters are still essential - they do a great job at protecting against severe disease that could put you in hospitalVaccines and boosters are still essential - they do a great job at protecting against severe disease that could put you in hospital
It is milder - if you catch it the risk of needing hospital treatment is up to 70% lower than with previous Covid variants - but that is largely because many of us have built up immunity from vaccines and past infections rather than changes to the virus It is milder - if you catch it, the risk of needing hospital treatment is up to 70% lower than with previous variants - but that is largely because many of us have built up immunity from vaccines and past infections rather than changes to the virus
Even if Omicron is milder, because it is more contagious a large number of people will catch it and will still become very ill which puts pressure on the NHS Even if Omicron is milder, because it is more contagious a large number of people will catch it and some will still become very ill, which puts pressure on the NHS
Read moreRead more
The UKHSA analysis, along with the data gathered around Omicron on a daily basis, will influence the UK government's decision regarding whether or not further restrictions are needed in England.The UKHSA analysis, along with the data gathered around Omicron on a daily basis, will influence the UK government's decision regarding whether or not further restrictions are needed in England.
At present, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stuck to his Plan B measures - face masks, Covid passes and working from home guidance - and says no new measures will be announced before Christmas.At present, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stuck to his Plan B measures - face masks, Covid passes and working from home guidance - and says no new measures will be announced before Christmas.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all announced further measures to come in from Sunday.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all announced further measures to come in from Sunday.
Asked whether ministers had enough data to make a call on new measures, Dr Harries said the government would consider more than just hospital admissions and cases.Asked whether ministers had enough data to make a call on new measures, Dr Harries said the government would consider more than just hospital admissions and cases.
"For example, we have very high rates of individuals off sick - we know that particularly in London, around one in 35 have currently got Omicron," she said."For example, we have very high rates of individuals off sick - we know that particularly in London, around one in 35 have currently got Omicron," she said.
"Now that's having an impact on the workforce. So these are not simply about hospitalisation rates.""Now that's having an impact on the workforce. So these are not simply about hospitalisation rates."
She added that ministers are being kept updated on a daily basis and that will continue throughout the Christmas period.She added that ministers are being kept updated on a daily basis and that will continue throughout the Christmas period.
"I don't think we do know yet that this is going to be a significantly less serious disease for the population - the older population - that we are normally most concerned about in relation to serious disease and death.""I don't think we do know yet that this is going to be a significantly less serious disease for the population - the older population - that we are normally most concerned about in relation to serious disease and death."
Dr Harries' comments come amid the ongoing push for UK government to offer every adult a booster vaccine dose by the end of the month.Dr Harries' comments come amid the ongoing push for UK government to offer every adult a booster vaccine dose by the end of the month.
People in England will be able to get a jab on Christmas Day and Boxing Day as part of efforts to target the Omicron variant, the NHS has said.People in England will be able to get a jab on Christmas Day and Boxing Day as part of efforts to target the Omicron variant, the NHS has said.
Vaccinations will also take place on Christmas Eve, with about 200,000 first, second or booster appointments still bookable over the festive period.Vaccinations will also take place on Christmas Eve, with about 200,000 first, second or booster appointments still bookable over the festive period.
It has been a record-breaking week for booster and third jabs in the UK, with more than 968,665 administered on Wednesday, the highest number to date.It has been a record-breaking week for booster and third jabs in the UK, with more than 968,665 administered on Wednesday, the highest number to date.
Prof Clare Bryant - a professor of immunology at the University of Cambridge - told the Today programme that additional booster shots in the form of a fourth dose would be needed at some point, but exactly when was not yet clear.Prof Clare Bryant - a professor of immunology at the University of Cambridge - told the Today programme that additional booster shots in the form of a fourth dose would be needed at some point, but exactly when was not yet clear.
"We are looking at fourth shots," she said."We are looking at fourth shots," she said.
"I suspect it's a question of when those will need to be introduced because of course a waning in immunity means that you may catch the virus a little bit more easily - but don't forget you're still very well protected against severe disease and that's absolutely critical.""I suspect it's a question of when those will need to be introduced because of course a waning in immunity means that you may catch the virus a little bit more easily - but don't forget you're still very well protected against severe disease and that's absolutely critical."
Officials will also be working to fix supply chain delays with home tests over the festive period.Officials will also be working to fix supply chain delays with home tests over the festive period.
The UKHSA said it was sending a record number of rapid lateral flow tests to people's homes every day but acknowledged there was an issue with deliveries to some pharmacies.The UKHSA said it was sending a record number of rapid lateral flow tests to people's homes every day but acknowledged there was an issue with deliveries to some pharmacies.
Ministers have also been encouraging people to use the tests before they socialise or go to work, with the prime minister on Tuesday saying tests should be taken before they visit elderly or vulnerable relatives at Christmas.Ministers have also been encouraging people to use the tests before they socialise or go to work, with the prime minister on Tuesday saying tests should be taken before they visit elderly or vulnerable relatives at Christmas.
The UKHSA said pharmacies were continuing to receive lateral flow tests and any delays in deliveries were a "supply chain issue and not a stock issue".The UKHSA said pharmacies were continuing to receive lateral flow tests and any delays in deliveries were a "supply chain issue and not a stock issue".
A spokesperson said: "Despite unprecedented demand, we are continuing to supply millions of rapid lateral flow tests every day.
"We are issuing record numbers of rapid test kits to people's homes across the country, and our delivery capacity has doubled to 900,000 test kits per day since Saturday... so more people can order tests."
THE HAIRY BIKERS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Si and Dave ride north to create the perfect festive feastTHE HAIRY BIKERS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Si and Dave ride north to create the perfect festive feast
FROM SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING TO FROZEN: There's a film for everyone on BBC iPlayerFROM SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING TO FROZEN: There's a film for everyone on BBC iPlayer