The NHS is in danger of being “overwhelmed” by the surge in Omicron cases, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has warned. Despite further evidence it causes less severe illness than earlier Covid-19 strains, Mr Javid said officials were monitoring the data “hour by hour” on another record day for the UK.
New figures showed the Covid infection rates in the UK reaching record levels with an estimated 1.4 million people with the virus and 120,000 testing positive in a 24-hour period. READ MORE: Four Greater Manchester boroughs now have Covid rates over 1,000 as cases surge in all TEN areas The warning came as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimated someone with Omicron was between 31% and 45% less likely to attend A&E and 50% to 70% less