Preparations

This fab advent calendar was in the parcel of presents I received recently from my great friend T, so I’ve put it out ready to start tomorrow. I also got my xmas decorations out of the loft given it was a warmer day for venturing up there, I’ll probably put them up at the weekend. I mainly had an admin day: updating records, filing paperwork and doing a bit of shredding (always useful to add to the compost bin). 

Day 624 / Day 135 of Step 4 of Roadmap Easing (for my record only)
Identified Omicron cases in the UK have now risen to 22. The 9 cases in Scotland are all linked to a single private event on 20th Nov, none of these cases has been hospitalised so far. We have done well globally in taking quick action, given Omicron was first identified on 23rd Nov in South Africa, from samples taken between 14th and 16th Nov. The PM announced at a press conference this afternoon that the aim is to offer booster jabs to everyone eligible by the end of Jan. The NHS England CEx explained the booster rollout and asked people not to contact the NHS until you’re eligible (it’s going in priority order, largely by 5 year age group bands). 1,500 community pharmacies will take part in the programme and will be rewarded extra for opening on Sunday and for visiting people at home who are unable to come in due to health reasons. The post jab 15 min wait is also being reviewed. She assured us that we have the vaccine supply needed. Dr Jenny Harries is getting some grief over saying ‘…I think being careful, not socialising when we don’t particularly need to…’ in response to a question about xmas - a completely sensible comment I think (unlike Boris, who told people to carry on with xmas parties - deja vu from last xmas). Initial evidence is that people have complied with the requirement to now wear a mask on public transport. Worryingly, Regeneron has said that initial analysis shows their Covid drug could be less effective against Omicron. Greece is to issue a monthly 100 euro fine on over 60s who are unvaccinated. A study has found that mild to moderate maternal SARS- CoV-2 infection doesn’t appear to have an effect on the brain development of their baby.