Suffolk has shown determination and resilience in our COVID fight – this is another challenge we must overcome

It has been just 14 days since I last wrote this column on concerns about a ‘new’ COVID-19 variant called Omicron. Sadly, so much has happened in that time.

We have seen first-hand the speed in which Omicron can spread – doubling in 2 or 3 days, some places quicker.

The UK has been placed in level 4, the second highest tier, because of this doubling time.

And Plan B has been enacted by the Government.

It is a very unsettled time for us again, which is difficult with Christmas just days away. In his speech on Sunday evening, Boris Johnson, made no excuse for the seriousness of the situation we now face. He spoke about the emergency we now face in our fight against Omicron and the fact there may be a tidal wave of cases coming in the next few weeks.

But he also spoke of hope and a way out – and this is vaccinations. It has recently been discovered, as we learn new things about Omicron daily, that the booster jab is highly effective against Omicron and because of this, the Government has asked the NHS to step-up the booster roll-out.

This means that the booster is now open to every adult over the age of 30 who has had a second dose of the vaccine at least three months ago. Those that are 18 and over can book from tomorrow. Johnson’s message is clear ‘Get Boosted Now’.

In Suffolk, a vast amount of work is being done to increase our capacity to deliver this. We will keep you updated when plans are finalised, but at the moment we are looking to maximise our current vaccination sites by increasing the hours they are open and offering more days. NHS colleagues currently deliver about 7,000 vaccinations a day – this will increase to just short of 21,000 each day. This is an extraordinary effort and I want to thank people for their hard work in making this happen.

Colleagues from Suffolk County Council and Public Health Suffolk are doing all they can to support this NHS roll-out. There is little doubt that this delivery will have big implications for the NHS and wider health system, but as the Prime Minister said, the impact on the health service will be greater in the longer term if people do not get fully protected from Omicron.

Today I also wanted to address any reluctance that people may have in taking Omicron seriously. At this point scientists cannot say if Omicron is less severe, but we do know that it is more transmissible. Therefore if it spreads to people in Suffolk who are unvaccinated or vulnerable we would risk more hospital admissions and overwhelming the NHS.

This is not a risk that should be taken lightly. It takes 10 days to identify an Omicron case so we know case numbers will be much higher than reported.

Last week, the Prime Minister announced Plan B measures in order to combat the growth of Omicron. Measures to be introduced as part of Plan B, include:

• Face coverings to become compulsory in most public indoor venues, other than hospitality (from Friday 10 December)
• People asked to work from home if they can (from Monday 13 December)
• NHS Covid Pass to be mandatory in specific settings, using a negative test or full vaccination via the NHS Covid Pass (from Wednesday 15 December, subject to parliamentary approval)

I ask that as we continue to live with COVID we keep safety in mind, such as washing hands, wearing a mask and making sure your house is well ventilated.

Suffolk has shown time and time again it’s determination and resilience in our fight against COVID – this is another challenge we must overcome. Throughout the pandemic, Suffolk has been effective at tackling COVID. This is because we have worked hard and been proactive at every stage. The situation facing Suffolk now calls for the same forward-thinking and preventative work to protect residents, businesses and our way of life.

My final ask of you echoes the Prime Minister’s appeal - make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations. These are not just empty words, science shows that vaccinations save lives. Find out about the booster vaccine at NHS.uk.

As the Prime Minister said:

• Get Boosted Now for yourself, for your friends and your family.
• Get Boosted Now to protect jobs and livelihoods across this country.
• And Get Boosted Now to protect our NHS, our freedoms and our way of life.