Omicron Covid wave may finally be retreating as infections drop, says Gov adviser

The Omicron wave may finally be retreating as infections plummet across the country, a Government adviser has said.

By the end of the year, we could have a “flu-type” relationship with milder new Covid variants and an end to restrictions, according to SAGE member Prof Mike Tildesley.

New cases fell 42% over the last seven days, with 84,429 reported yesterday.

But deaths are up 39% in a week to 1,845, with 2,357 admitted to hospital with Covid yesterday.

Prof Tildesley said: “Cases do seem to be falling. Hospital admissions are relatively high albeit there is some evidence they’re plateauing in London.

"We probably need an extra week of data to really see the effect of children going back to school.

"But if we still see that I’d be pretty confident we’re seeing this wave turning around.”

Downing Street said there are “encouraging signs” in the data as Boris Johnson considers whether England’s Plan B restrictions can be lifted on January 26.

But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It still remains the case our NHS is under significant pressure.”

Prof Tildesley said: “My hope is as we get further into this year we’re dealing with milder versions and hopefully we have more of a flu-type relationship with Covid, where potentially we protect the vulnerable but don’t see a return of restrictions.”