An emergency Covid circuit breaker lockdown is needed now to prevent the Omicron covid wave overwhelming the country, Independent SAGE has warned.
As the UK registered 88,376 cases on Thursday, the group of experts have called for more drastic action from the government.
The scientists branded the government’s Plan B “not enough” to tackle rising cases in all age groups.
The new variant is doubling in London every 1.5 days and cases are rising in all age groups, but especially amongst younger age groups, they claim.
Hospital admissions are highest amongst 20-29 year-olds, they add.
This comes as the Covid crisis worsens in the UK, with the Omicron taking hold and set to be the dominant strain by Christmas or the New Year.
On consecutive days this week a record number of Covid cases were registered on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
London and parts of the East Midlands, in particular South Northamptonshire, have emerged as Omicron hotspots along with parts of the East of England.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty recently urged people to prioritise their socialising ahead of Christmas, to avoid having to isolate over the festive period away from loved ones.
Professor Whitty added that a rise in Omicron hospitalisations was “nailed on” after cases hit a record high yesterday.
It’s these rises which have pushed Independent SAGE to call for the circuit breaker.
Professor Whitty said: “I think that what most people are doing is – and I would think this seems very sensible – is prioritising the social interactions that really matter to them and, to protect those ones, de-prioritising ones that matter much less to them.”
Health Minister Gillian Keegan said: “Everybody is urging caution. Most of us will know somebody now who's positive with Covid, and that means if you've tested positive, then you'll be in isolation over Christmas.
“So that's bound to make people a bit more cautious. Make a sensible choice for yourself, make a sensible choice.
“You know, if you're going to go to a party, take a test. If there's lots of people there you don't know, if that's your priority, fine.
“If your priority is to make it through to Christmas Day with your family then take a different approach.”
However, as Covid cases are rocketing, the booster vaccine campaign has been cranked up as well, with nearly 750,000 boosters having been given out on Thursday.
