Dr. Jenny Harries, the Head of the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that, although the Omicron variant appears to be milder than the Delta strain, New Year’s Eve festivities could still be banned in an attempt to curb its spread, citing her concern that an influx of positive Covid tests is leading to staff shortages. MailOnline has the story.
New Year celebrations could be axed to stave off staff shortages and protect the vulnerable even if hospitalisations stay low, a health chief warned today.
Jenny Harries, head of the UKHSA, said the “impact on society” of Omicron will be crucial despite mounting evidence that it is generally milder than the Delta strain.
Dr. Harries pointed to the “very high” levels of absence among workers, with an extraordinary one in 35 having contracted the variant in London.
She cautioned that it is still not clear whether the new version of the disease will be milder for older people, or how long people who do have to go to hospital will need to stay.
Asked whether ministers will be able to make a decision on Monday about whether restrictions will be needed before December 31st, Dr. Harries told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Ministers will look at all of the data that we have available – and that isn’t simply what the epidemiology is saying, it’s how it’s impacting society.
“So, 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.
“Now that’s having an impact on the workforce. So these are not simply about hospitalisation rates.”
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