The Isle of Wight remains Omicron free, despite the new COVID-19 strain becoming more prominent nationwide.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday (Monday), health secretary Sajid Javid told MPs 20% of the COVID cases on Friday looked to be of the Omicron variant. He also warned it was infecting 200,000 people a day, according to modelling from the UK Health Security Agency. However, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab confirmed today that just 9 people are in hospital with Omicron.
While there are still some unknowns about the variant, it is thought to be more transmissible. There is some good news coming out of South Africa, as real-world data suggests that the risk of hospital admission is 29% lower for people infected by the new coronavirus variant than in the first wave of the pandemic, with 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine providing 70% protection against severe illness. The Telegraph reports that outbreaks are already ‘running out of steam’ in the country.
Mr Javid said there are now 4,713 confirmed cases of Omicron in the UK but an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has confirmed there are no recorded or probable cases of the variant on the Island.
The spokesperson has reiterated the advice people can follow to protect themselves which included getting vaccinated, including the booster jab, if people were eligible.
Sadly once the DFL second or third home owners arrive here, this will go through the Island like a dose of salts.
Enjoy the calm before the storm.
Let’s hope the variant is more mild and those who do catch it gain from better immunity in time for the next mutant strain certain to come later.
I see Bob Seely voted NO for the Covid Pass being introduced. He really doesn’t think anything is worth keeping the island safe. BBQ Bob strikes again.
Covid passes will not keep anyone safe, the next step would be to tattoo your covid ‘status’ on your arm.
Those of us with a sense of un-airbrushed history are well aware of the path being taken by our ‘dictatorship ‘ oh sorry, I meant democratic government. I’m not anti vax, I’ve had mine, but I will not be afraid because I’m told to be, theres a very stinky game afoot, be aware.
So what do you think the very stinky game is?
Wait and see. It’s too late to stop this government’s end game to be stopped. Enjoy Christmas and stay safe.
Give it another week and the mainland Xmas pressie will be sure to arrive
Too late chaps and chapesses. It’s already here and spreading.