Omicron is responsible for 30 percent of London’s new Covid cases, according to government data. These figures highlight the dire situation Britain finds itself in as it approaches Christmas.  

UK officials were today dragged to Cobra meetings by Cobra leaders in order to talk about the next logical steps towards fighting the pandemic as well as analyze the latest evidence concerning the super-mutant strain. 

After testing positive, Communities Secretary Michael Gove held the briefing virtual after naming London as the hotspots. According to Gove, the most recent data provided by the devolved states was’very difficult’. 

Stark projections suggest that super-mutant variants could be dominant within days. It raises concern about Boris Johnson being forced to press the panic button yet again. 

No10 already has its backup Plan B strategy. It reimposes work-from home guidance, and makes face masks mandatory in more places. Multiple times, officials have refused to rule out further action.

The second wave of Alpha could bring back tougher alternatives, effectively cancelling Christmas for millions in London and other areas hardest hit by the first wave. 

London appears to be suffering badly, Omicron is suspected to be to blame. Government data shows London has the fastest-growing Covid epidemic in England. Omicron was found in all 32 boroughs of London, which is causing cases to rise. 

While deaths and hospitalisations in capital are flat, both these measures are several weeks behind because of the length of time that it can take for someone to get seriously ill from the virus. 

According to the Capital’s Public Health Chiefs, they have taken the emerging threat seriously and believe it will take control of the city in two weeks.

Scotland is Omicron’s other hotspot. There are concerns about a tsunami’, which has prompted Nicola Sturgeon and others to institute stricter self isolation rules. She announced that all families must now self-isolate if one person in their family tests positive for the virus. 

After this afternoon’s Cobra Briefing, Gove spoke out saying that the meeting he’d just co-chaired with first ministers of all devolved governments was filled with challenging new information.

We know we are experiencing the largest number of Covid infection cases in the UK since January 9, 2009. The Omicron variant doubles every 2 to 3 days in England and Scotland.

“We know that Omicron is responsible for 30% of London cases reported. However, we have only discovered Omicron in the country about a fortnight.

The number of Omicron-related cases in Britain jumped by 54% over a single day, with 448 more confirmed. Officially, it was 1,200. However, the Omicron death toll has risen to 20, with health authorities admitting that true numbers could rise to as much as 20%. In fact surveillance data indicates that at least 10% of cases are already being reported. That’s equivalent to about 4,000 deaths per day. 

After Britain’s Covid cases jumped 15% in the past week, another 58.194 Covid cases have been recorded since today as the mutation takes root. Hospitalisations rose six percent in seven days and there were 839 admissions. The death rate was more than one tenth.

A promising sign is that booster jabs are 70-75% effective in stopping Omicron-related infections, according to a study.

The above map shows % change in Covid cases across the capital over the previous seven-day spell, to November 27. Cases were rising in all boroughs at this time as well, but not at the same rate as they are currently
The above map shows the % change in Covid cases in different areas of London over the week to December 4, the latest available. It reveals that cases are rising in all boroughs. Public health chiefs say they are taking the situation 'extremely seriously' as it is confirmed that Omicron may have spread to every borough

Above is the percentage increase in Covid in London’s 32 Boroughs between November 27, 2012, and December 4, 2012. In every borough, cases are on the rise. They are up in every borough, but they have fallen in the last month.

But hospitalisations in the city are yet to tick up and remain level with around 110 new admissions recorded every day on average, according to the latest data. But in a sign of what could be to come on December 7, the latest available, there were 148 admissions which was a 40 per cent rise on the same time last week

According to latest statistics, hospitalisations are still low in this city. On average there are 110 admissions per day. However, the most recent data shows that December 7th saw an average of 148 admissions. That’s a 40% increase over last week.

London's Covid deaths are also yet to tick up, official data shows. But these are lagging indicators because it takes a few weeks for someone who has caught Covid to become seriously unwell and sadly die from the disease

According to official data, London’s Covid mortality rates are still not increasing. However, these indicators are still lagging because Covid can cause serious illness and death in a matter of weeks.

The number of PCR tests carried out in London has risen 15 per cent in a week but the positivity rate — the number that detect the virus — has remained level suggesting there is a real-terms surge in cases. The above graph shows the number of lateral flow tests completed which has remained level so far

The number of PCR tests carried out in London has risen 15 per cent in a week but the positivity rate — the number that detect the virus — has remained level suggesting there is a real-terms surge in cases. This graph displays the total number of lateral flow testing that have been completed so far.

The above graph shows Covid cases in London. They are starting to tick up as the more transmissible Omicron variant begins to spread in the capital

Below is a graph showing Covid cases within London. As the Omicron variant is more widely spread, they are beginning to increase in number.

The above graph shows the % change in London's average infection rate. The capital has the fastest growing outbreak in the country, after Omicron was detected in every borough

Below is a graph showing the change in London’s average infection rate. After Omicron, which was found in all boroughs of the country in 2004, the capital is the most rapidly growing area.

Omicron can be beat by boosters and the chance of becoming ill is cut down to 75%

Official UK Government analysis has revealed that Booster Covid jabs provide up to 75% protection from mild illnesses caused by super Omicron variants.

Experts feel confident that three doses of the highly-evolved strain will offer significantly better immunity and protection against death or severe illness.

If the second dose was given more than three months before, it is possible that effectiveness against symptoms may be less than 40% in Pfizer’s case and as low as 0% for AstraZeneca.

However, officials insist that any two vaccines must still be effective against severe illnesses. It is the most encouraging sign to date that new waves of deaths and hospitalizations won’t exceed previous highs.

Scientists at No10 are now more optimistic that Plan B restrictions, and the booster campaign, will suffice to prevent further draconian curbs. A confirmation was made that no Omicron infection in the UK has resulted in hospitalization or death.

UK Health Security Agency performed a real-world assessment of 581 Omicron-positive people. They compared the vaccine status with a control group who had tested negative for Delta.

The Pfizer booster is believed to provide 70-75 percent protection against mild Omicron illnesses, regardless if the original vaccine was used. Delta only provides 90 per cent.

Pfizer could offer only 37 percent protection in three-and-a half months. Delta offers 60 per cent. AstraZeneca gave almost no protection for the same period of time after two doses.

Scientists cautioned that AstraZeneca’s data was more reliable than expected due to restrictions in certain age groups, and the use of this vaccine at vulnerable times was common.

The study was conducted by UKHSA specialists who said while Omicron did weaken existing jabs in some cases, it is still not as effective as originally thought.  

According to the Department of Health, coronavirus data shows London infections rose by 25.3 percent during the week ended December 4, according to the most recent available.

It was also the fastest among England’s nine region, followed closely by London (up 16.8%) and South East (12.4%).

The other extreme of the spectrum is Yorkshire and Humber, where cases are increasing by 6.8% and 7.6% respectively. 

Figures are calculated based upon specimen dates, which is the date that someone test positive. The statistics are therefore always behind current circumstances by approximately five days. 

London’s infection rate — the number of cases per 100,000 people spotted in a week — stood at 474.7 in the most recent week of data.

The figure is now the highest it has been since January 2001, when Britain was still in the worst of the second waves and hadn’t yet implemented a serious vaccine program. 

Although PCR test rates may have increased slightly, the positive rate has not changed. This suggests that the increase is real.

But in more proof that vaccines have drastically changed the game, hospitalisations in the capital are just a fraction of rates seen during previous peaks.

Today, on average, 117 Covid Infected Brits are being admitted into hospital in London. This figure is 22 percent higher than it was a fortnight back, when Omicron first appeared in South Africa. 

However, Covid deaths in capital remain at around 10 per day. Elderly and immunocompromised are the most vulnerable. 

The long-awaited UKHSA figures show that 890 Omicron cases were confirmed or suspected in London, and it was also detected in all boroughs. 

Genome sequencing confirms Omicron cases. PCR can indicate that someone is infected. Three genes are tested to confirm Covid infection. The gold standard swabs test for these three genes. Omicron doesn’t show any of these genes. This suggests someone may be infected.

Barking and Dagenham are home to the highest number of Omicron cases (55). They are followed by Greenwich, Lewisham (both 53), and Newham (52).

Omicron will cause nearly all coronavirus infections in Scotland within 10 working days. These shocking forecasts were made by Nicola Sturgeon who foretold of a ‘tsunami of variant cases’ and slapped Scots even more curbs.

She said, “We are facing a new and very serious challenge because of the Omicron variant. 

‘To be blunt, because of the much greater and faster transmissibility of this new variant, we may be facing – indeed we may be starting to experience – a potential tsunami of infections.’ 

She added: ‘Indeed, I think we can now say with some confidence that we expect it to overtake Delta within days, not weeks – we estimate this could be as early as the very beginning of next week.’ 

Confidential UK Health Security Agency data showed that Omicron may now be behind 8.5 per cent of infections. The figures are based on the proportion of PCR tests failing to detect a specific gene, an early indicator of the variant. PCRs look for three genes to confirm a Covid infection, but with Omicron one is so mutated that they only pick up two of them. The analysis was done by Professor Alastair Grant, a Covid modeller at the University of East Anglia, who has access to the secret statistics

Omicron is suspected to be responsible for 8.5% percent of the infections, according to Confidential UK Health Security Agency Data. These figures were based upon the percentage of PCR tests that failed to identify a particular gene. This is an indicator of the variant. Three genes are required to confirm Covid infections. However, Omicron only detects two. Professor Alastair Grant of the University of East Anglia was able to access the secrets statistics and performed the analysis. 

Omicron makes up 13.3 per cent of Covid cases in Scotland and is doubling every two to three days

Omicron accounts for 13.3% of Covid case in Scotland. This figure is increasing by a factor of two or three every day

According to the UK Health Security Agency, the map above shows the top ten locations with Omicron-related cases. Although West Northamptonshire, the nation’s most active area for this mutant strain is in London, eight of the ten other areas are located in the county.

The above map shows the Covid infection rate across London by neighbourhoods, or middle-layer super output areas (MSOAs). Un the dark purple areas the rate is above 800 cases per 100,000 people, while in the purple areas it is between 400 and 799 cases per 100,000. The dark blue areas have a rate between 200 and 399 cases per 100,000

This map displays the Covid infected area (or middle-layer super output) rate for London. The rate in dark purple areas is higher than 800 per 100,000, while it’s lower in purple areas. It is 400 to 799 per 100,000. In the dark blue regions, there are between 200- 399 and 100,000 cases.

This map shows the proportion of people who are double-vaccinated against Covid in the capital. It reveals that there has been much lower jab uptake in inner city areas than on the outskirts

The map below shows how many people in capital have been double-vaccinated for Covid. The map shows that people have received fewer jabs in the inner cities than they do on the outskirts.

According to projections by the Scottish Government, the super-infectious strain of the strain could overtake Delta and become the dominant strain within days. It will also account for more that 90 percent of all infections in the UK by December 20.

Omicron accounts for 13.3% of Covid cases currently in Scotland. It has also become a hotspot along with London. However, it is increasing every day.

Scotland has today reported 5,018 positive Covid testing, which is more than twice as many as a week ago. 

At lunchtime, Ms. Sturgeon informed a Coronavirus Briefing in Edinburgh that there had been 110 Omicron cases confirmed in Scotland as of yesterday’s 5pm and only nine 10 days earlier.

She said that the most recent figure was likely only the tip of an iceberg. Data suggests Omicron is the current pandemic’s fastest exponential growth. 

According to No10, they are also considering a harder ‘Plan C’ to combat Omicron. This could mean that care homes will be subject to new restrictions and mandatory masks in restaurants and pubs in order to prevent Omicron from spreading.

As part of Downing Street’s contingency plans, vaccine passports that are controversial could be extended to additional venues if Omicron super mutant proves as hazardous as scientists think.

Sources within the Government said that it was very possible for care home residents to be barred from receiving more than three visitors during the Christmas period. This would prevent another outbreak of violence in the sector.

However, campaign groups cautioned that these plans might be “devastating” and “heartbreaking”, with families being forced to select loved ones for what could end up being their last Christmas.

No10 says it doesn’t have plans for Christmas circuit breaker lockdowns or Plan C. Official spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated that Plan B was the correct approach. They strike the right balance. 

With the implementation of mandatory facial masks indoors such as churches, theatres, and cinemas today’s first section of the Government’s Plan B entered into effect. The new Work-from-Home guidance will go into effect Monday. On Tuesday, MPs will vote to allow vaccination passports in large nightclubs.