East Riding Braced for Omicron

East Riding Council public health officials say they are braced for Omicron’s arrival and have warned tough weeks lie ahead.

East Riding Council’s Public Health Director Andy Kingdom told councillors the local coronavirus situation was now very serious and the variant threatened to knock previously good trends off course.

He added he would now recommend people wear face masks in indoor public spaces and the Army had been drafted in to help with the vaccine programme.

It comes as the Health, Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee heard the scale of dangers posed by Omicron remain uncertain until ongoing studies report their findings.

Council public health department lead Megan Doran said there were currently no confirmed cases linked to the Omicron variant in the East Riding.

She added those who catch the variant and their close contacts would be told to self-isolate to stop outbreaks, even if they have had two vaccines.

Separately, Hull City Council public health lead Julia Weldon said the variant was also expected to appear but had not yet been detected.

Mr Kingdom said its arrival was expected after being detected in neighbouring areas.

The public health director also called on unvaccinated people not to go to Christmas parties because of the risk the variant could spread.

Mr Kingdom said:

“It’s a very serious situation at the moment.

“The analogy is that we’ve been playing a football match that was going in our favour, cases among older age groups were dropping and school numbers were topping out.

“But now what’s happened is the opposition has brought on a strong and fast striker in the last 10 minutes, the Omicron variant, and we don’t know what they will do yet.

“We know the variant is more transmissible, but we don’t know how many cases will result in hospitalisations yet.

“There’s currently about 25 different studies going on into its impact on different groups and on treatments.

“Those who’ve had their vaccines, including the booster, will have a depth of protection.

“Most coronavirus patients in local intensive care units have not had the vaccine.

“We will have Omicron cases and when we get them our numbers will go up.

“We’ve got booster jabs in a lot of people already after a slow start, 135,000 have been given so far and 95 per cent of 75-year-olds and over have had them, with rates dropping down the age groups.

“We’re looking at offering more pop up vaccine locations and using our vehicle.

“Anyone who has not had the vaccine should get it and if you’re planning on going to a party you should get tested before and after.

“It’s going to be a tough couple of weeks, people need to do what they were doing last Christmas again, the situation’s serious but not fatal.”

Public health department lead Ms Doran said:

“It is important that everyone takes sensible precautions, especially at a time when we are seeing high community infection rates within our local authority and region.

“The quickest way to prevent transmission by individuals who test positive for coronavirus on an asymptomatic Lateral Flow Test (LFT) or who develop symptoms, is to self-isolate immediately.

“They should get a PCR test as soon as they can to confirm their LFT result or symptoms, isolate when asked and wear a face covering.

“This winter it’s really worth being mindful of the small but impactful preventive steps we can take, particularly within our own ‘bubbles’ of friends, family and colleagues, in order to live with coronavirus this festive season and create a strong protective shield.

“Vaccines remain our strongest defence against coronavirus and help protect your loved ones, so please book your booster when you are invited or become eligible.

“If you have not yet had your first or second jab, then please book yours today if you can – it has never been more important to do so.

“The advice we give to residents is that they continue to test regularly using LFTs, including before high-risk periods or socialising, as well as remembering to ventilate where it is safe to do so and to keep washing your hands with soap and water.

“We strongly recommend that you wear a face covering, unless exempt in crowded and enclosed spaces, as well as in shops and on public transport as outlined in the latest government guidance.”