COVID-19 hospital admissions are DOWN more than 50 per cent compared to this time last year, official figures have revealed.
A total of 8,474 people were in hospital with coronavirus on Monday – a huge drop on the massive 19,277 admissions recorded on the same day in 2020.
The positive figures back Boris Johnson’s decision to rule out a New Year’s Eve lockdown in England, and are further a proof that Omicron is a less-severe variant.
It comes after a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
Trending In The News’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Health bosses have confirmed that while Monday’s hospitalisation figure is more than 1,000 patients higher than it was one day prior, it is no cause for concern.
There are 842 hospital-bound patients on ventilators – the lowest in two months – with winter-induced increase as seen last year.
And data has also shown that a third of patients who have Covid in hospital are actually being treated for something else.
The number going to hospital with the virus fell before Christmas — with 1,020 admitted on Christmas Eve compared to 1,252 the day before;
And fatality figures have also decreased, with 742 deaths reported in the last seven days – down 5.6 per cent on the week prior.
In other Covid-19 news:
- Revellers danced in the streets and hit pubs and clubs after no new restrictions were announced for New Year’s Eve;
- Covid restrictions might not be introduced in the new year after the Health Secretary praised the booster jab uptake;
- New Year’s Eve revellers should take a lateral flow test and celebrate outside, Sajid Javid said;
- Hospitality bosses praised Boris Johnson for saving New Year’s Eve – their busiest night of the year.
Over 320,000 new coronavirus infections have been recorded over the Christmas break, the latest data has revealed.
But Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, told BBC Breakfast that while cases are soaring, it is at a slower rate than previously seen.
He said: “Cases are increasing in older people and of course, people over 60.
“Of course, this is the group that is more likely to go into hospital and hospitalisations are also rising, but so far nothing obvious such as people on intensive care units.”
Prof Hunter added: “We’re already seeing a big difference in the risk to people who have been boosted being a lot less than the people have not been boosted.
“Ultimately, the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to have the booster.”
Downing Street yesterday urged partygoers to take care, but defied demands for curbs after data showed Omicron has not overwhelmed hospitals.
In an announcement yesterday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid stressed Brits should “remain cautious”, take a lateral flow and celebrate outside or in a well-ventilated room – as he urged everyone to get their jabs if they can.
He added: “We look at the data on a daily basis – that hasn’t changed over the Christmas period.
“But there will be no further measures before the new year. Of course, people should remain cautious as we approach New Year’s celebrations.”
Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls said: “This is great news.”
There was anger in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where restrictions remain.
Defying Sage doomsters and fellow gloomsters, the PM decided against imposing any further curbs this year.
Mr Johnson acted after new health data showed the number of people going into hospital with Covid actually fell before Christmas.
Last night, he tweeted: “We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year.
NEW YEAR SAVED
“However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases.
“Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones.”
As partygoers in England looked forward to New Year’s Eve celebrations there was fury in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where clubs are closed and pubs face restrictions.
Scottish bar bosses urged First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to “do a Boris” and reverse her decision to cancel Hogmanay celebrations.
If she doesn’t a “Scots Invasion” of revellers will cross the border to ring in 2022 in Newcastle and Manchester, they predicted.
Meanwhile, Welsh partygoers are expected to descend on Bristol if Wales’ Labour leader Mark Drakeford refuses to make a U-turn on strict curbs.
Delighted pub chiefs praised Mr Johnson for saving New Year’s Eve – their busiest night of the year.
Linda Thompson, 68, licensee of the Leather Bottle, near Brentwood, Essex, said: “It’s going to be a fantastic night and we were dreading the prospect of cancelling.
GET JABBED FAST
“I feel Boris has done the right thing. People do feel that they should just get on with their lives.
“We have plenty of regulars who are partial to a bit of fizz and I have no doubt they will be popping champagne corks at this news.”
Restaurant worker Stephen Lucas, 37, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, said the decision not to impose further restrictions was “fantastic news”.
He added: “We are hugely relieved because New Year’s Eve gives us that last chance to earn generous tips before January — which is traditionally a very tough month for hospitality.
“We’ve spent the best part of two years with lockdowns and constant uncertainty, as we all have, so I think everyone needs this.”
