Omicron variant scares Gb: risk of 1 million cases

The Omicron variant scares Great Britain, which risks 1 million cases by the end of the year, and Boris Johnson announces the squeeze: the obligation to wear a mask widens, smart working returns, the green pass becomes increasingly necessary. The “plan B”, as the British premier says, is necessary in the light of the data and projections. The infections from the Omicron variant – which has already touched 57 countries including Italy according to the WHO – officially in the UK are 568. In reality, they are much more numerous. Read also The real figure “is probably closer to 10,000,” says Health Minister Sajid Javid in a document sent to the House of Commons. “The health safety agency estimates that the number of infections is approximately 20 times higher than in confirmed cases. Thus, the current number of infections is probably closer to 10,000,” the minister said. The agency also “believes that with the current growth rate” of infections doubling “every 2.5-3 days, infections could exceed one million by the end of the month”. Javid reiterates that Omicron seems “much more contagious” than Delta, but many elements of the new variant are still to be discovered. Pending further dates and certainties, London launches Plan B with “a proportionate and responsible choice”, as the premier says. Johnson, alarmed because Omicron “is growing much faster” than the pace that characterized the Delta variant. What are the new rules? From Monday, smart working becomes the first option where possible. Other measures, on the other hand, are less interpretable. “From this Friday we will extend the obligation to wear a mask in public places, including theaters and cinemas”, says the premier, expanding the obligation already in force in shops and on public transport. The green pass will be essential “to enter the premises and in places with gatherings, including indoor places where more than 500 people are standing and outdoor places with over 4,000 seats “. The measure then applies “to any facility with over 10,000 people”, says the prime minister, thus broadening the discussion to stadiums. “Everyone does their part, get vaccinated,” says Johnson, who has no intention of introducing restrictions for Christmas and who for the moment is not considering the hypothesis of mandatory vaccination. “I did not want a society in which to force people to get vaccinated”, he replies to those who ask why the obligation has not been included in the new measures.