No cases of the Omicron COVID variant have been found on the Isle of Wight so far, however, the Island’s public health chief has urged us to be cautious.
A total of 246 Omicron COVID cases have been found in the UK to date but, as of Friday at least, the Island’s public health director, Simon Bryant, confirmed that none have been recorded on the Island.
The Omicron variant, so far found in 20 countries, has a different protein spike than the other types of coronavirus, with health professionals still unsure about how it reacts to the vaccines, how seriously ill people can become from it and how it spreads.
Speaking at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s local outbreak engagement board, Mr Bryant told members initial signs were it could be okay but still wanted to be very cautious about it.
Where Omicron cases have been found in England, very targeted and more robust contract tracing has been enforced. Mr Bryant said those who have been in contact with an Omicron case will have to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of what vaccine you have had or how many doses.
After the meeting, Mr Bryant said with all mutating viruses people need to be concerned but there is a ‘precautionary principle’ of ensuring precautions are in place should there be a case. He said the way forward would be for people to carry on following good hand hygiene, face coverings, ventilating spaces and questioning whether they have let the ‘right behaviours lapse’.
The Island was in a better place than it was last year, Mr Bryant said, when the Island was in Tier 1 but saw a sudden surge in cases in the new year as people mixed bubbles. He said:
“We have got the vaccination programme and it is going really well; We are seeing cases coming down in those over 60 because of the booster; We are seeing fewer hospitalisations because the vaccine programme is so effective.
Article continues below this advertisement “We have a lot of virus but not as many people as seriously ill, which is really good news.”
It probably cannot afford the Ferry prices.
If they check all visitors coming to Island, we could be okay… but not long before Christmas visitors, and doubtful ferries will check anyone……. doomed…
Oh get over the hysteria already
… Doomed!? A tad melodramatic aren’t we
Really, like last year, melodramtic when all pubs were closed due to mainlanders bringing over Covid.. .. how some easily forget eh ?
erm, have you seen the figures today??? They are going up actually.
“Mr Bryant said, when the Island was in Tier 1 but saw a sudden surge in cases in the new year as people mixed bubbles.”
Bubbles, more like an invasion from people on the mainland coming over in the evenings because they could not do that in Portsmouth or Southampton. Good old Wightlink and Red Funnel, could and should of stopped all travel from tier 4 to tier 1, it was illegal at that time. So I wish our oh so clever Mr Bryant could get at least 1 fact right.
Stop all Pasenger Ferry Travel Now, we have a freight service Ferry so no problem for Goods.
If we have not got it why wait till we have, and it’s to late to stop the spread.
The Island is in a better place than it was last year, Mr Bryant said, lets keep it that way.
W.H.O. Have recently stated that the omicron variant has been detected in 38 countries but most importantly no deaths have been reported. Let’s hope it stays this way.
Rest assured its only a matter of time. It will be here soon enough.
I don’t think people really care anymore.
As long as our kids are safe.
I have been jabbed 3 times but there is know way that they are going to brainwash me into getting my 12 year old done.
So maybe your child will be a carrier then.. who knows eh? Better safe than sorry is it not ?
Nope, not when it comes to my children.(for that matter all children).
Time to let nature take its course.
Had a trip to a london hospital yesterday and what I experienced, it will be here sooner than we all wish, several SWR staff not wearing masks, even some police in Waterloo not wearing them so no wonder a huge number of rail passengers were not wearing them and not one challenged, several on red jet had no mask or under chin getting on board and all the way across none challenged.
Good god man.NOONE HAS DIED anywhere in the 38 countries its in! Its mild .do your homework not watch news!oh the panic.stop!!