Government update from Chief Medical Officers on Level 4 Threat increase Update

Amidst rumour that there may be a Plan C introduction of COVID-19 & Omicron transmission increases and the seething anger from not only Conservative backbenchers, the opposition parties and naturally a large public opinion against the almost transparent evidence of numerous non-socially-distanced party gatherings at the Prime Minister’s own No. 10 residence from November and December 2020, a year ago, the Government has now issued the following Public Health announcement for a virus threat level increase, with Boris Johnson the UK Prime Minister expected to give a announcement soon on the update of viral threat level.

The ‘UK’s COVID alert level raised from 3 to 4 Level four means a “COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation, transmission is high and direct COVID pressure on healthcare services is widespread and substantial or rising”, the government website says.

There are five levels in all.

It follows the emergence of the Omicron variant.

The recommendation has been made to ministers by the UK’s four chief medical officers and NHS England’s national medical director.

They said in a statement: “Transmission of COVID-19 is already high in the community, mainly still driven by Delta, but the emergence of Omicron adds additional and rapidly increasing risk to the public and healthcare services.

“Early evidence shows that Omicron is spreading much faster than Delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic disease from Omicron is reduced. Data on severity will become clearer over the coming weeks but hospitalisations from Omicron are already occurring and these are likely to increase rapidly.

“When vaccine protection is reduced in the way that is happening with Omicron it is essential to top up that protection with a booster. Both booster vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) increase the immune response substantially and show good effectiveness although with some reduction compared to Delta.

“The NHS is currently under pressure mainly driven by non-COVID pressures. With a variant spreading with increased transmissibility and reduced vaccine effectiveness, we are likely to see this pressure rise soon.

“It is extremely important that if you are eligible, you get your COVID vaccination now – whether this be your first, second or booster dose.

“People should continue take sensible precautions including ventilating rooms, using face coverings, testing regularly and isolating when symptomatic.”

Below is Allegra Stratton’s resignation over her part in the Question and Answers Media Training Video, four days following parties being held over Christmas at No 10, when there was a Tier 3 Lockdown. Her colleague posing the question Ed Oldfield, currently still remains in the Government as a special advisor to the Prime Minister.