Merseyside, along with the rest of the country, is facing a second disrupted Christmas because of the new covid variant.
England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has warned the UK faces another 18 months of Covid misery.
He suggested the number of people in hospital could be "very high indeed" over a short period of time.
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And he warned it is "entirely possible" that daily admissions to UK hospitals could top the previous peak of 4,583 - set in the second wave in January.
Liverpool is set to see a "sharp spike" in coronavirus cases in January, putting the NHS under a lot of pressure according to the city’s public health director.
At today’s meeting of Liverpool Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board, Professor Matt Ashton gave a strong warning about the threat Omicron presents to the NHS in the city.
Liverpool’s public health boss said that although Omicron only accounted for 9-10% of Covid-19 cases in the city, a lower rate than in London and the South East, this rate will go up.
In the light of these warnings, we asked ECHO readers whether the rise in covid cases had made them change their Christmas plans. These were some of the answers we received.
Dave Gogarty said: "As long as the rules don't change and taking nothing for granted I'm hoping to be with my fiancee 50 odd miles away from me. But with the rate the Omicron variant is multiplying I'm expecting it to be the dominant variant before Christmas.
"So we'll just have to see and be very observant."
Charley Elizabeth said: "Yep. Cancelled pretty much every event on the run up to Xmas."
Laura Requena said: "Yes, I’ve been hospitalised with Covid and terrified of catching it again."
Hayley Miller said: "No my mum and brother are still staying with me, my partner and three children as they do every year! Never changed that once! And I'm still seeing my dad and other family over Christmas, no one is stopping us all spending time together.. especially at Christmas time! Life is too short, every moment counts."
Trudi Gillespie said: "Nope no one is stopping me this year in doing exactly what I want to do, with precautions of course."
Jackie Ann Radcliffe said: "No but will be making sure my mum stays safe so will be following some guidelines for her."
Sharon Leneghan Woz Rowlands said: "No I'm fully jabbed getting my booster Friday. I'm spending it with family and we are all testing before we meet, not a lot more we can do."
Hannah Fennelly said: "No but my work Christmas party got cancelled which I was really looking forward to."
Steph Aindow said: "Fully vaccinated and had the booster but being sensible as we want to be with family Xmas day."
Linda Bullock said: "I've had four jabs this year, two Covid, one booster and the flu jab, I still keep my distance, wash hands often and still wear a mask so no my plans haven't changed."
Chas Hughes said: "Yes, we're not going anywhere now until Christmas apart from the local outdoor market, so that we can meet with me son and his family, including my beautiful granddaughters on Boxing Day. Only fair to keep everybody safe."
