Boris Johnson will hold a Covid press conference from 5pm tonight (December 15) as he updates the nation on the Omicron ‘tidal wave’ sweeping through the UK.
The PM will be joined by by Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and NHS England’s Dr Nikki Kanani from Downing Street where they are expected to urge people to get booster jabs.
But, the PM has not ruled out further restrictions before Christmas and confirmed the first death by the new variant during a vaccination centre visit on Monday (December 13).
This comes as the UK recorded 78,610 new Covid cases – the highest daily rise in the pandemic so far.
There are now 14 people in hospital with the Omicron variant, according to Junior education minister Alex Burghart in a speech to the House of Commons today.
This morning, head of the UK Health Security Agency Dr Jenny Harries told MPs Omicron is “probably the most significant threat since the start of the pandemic”.
Giving evidence to the Transport Committee, she added the doubling time for growth was now under two days and she expected case numbers to be “quite staggering” compared to previous new strains.
Last night MPs voted through new Plan B measures including ‘Covid passes’ and mandatory facemasks despite a massive Tory revolt which saw 96 Conservatives vote against Government measures that mean club-goers must show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
This week the Prime Minister is under increasing scrutiny about a Downing Street Christmas party and quiz held in last year’s lockdown, first reported in The Daily Mirror.
You can follow all of tonight’s press conference below.
Discussion about this post