A HUNDRED cases of Omicron have now been confirmed across the North East.

This is based on the latest official Covid figures released by the Government, and is alongside a 30 cases of the variant found in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency, published last night (December 13), suggests the true number of Omicron cases in the region is probably higher than the figures suggest.

This is because testing for Omicron is more complex that other variants and its symptoms vary.

Read more: 8 potential signs of Omicron to watch out for as cases confirmed in North East

The Northern Echo:

The latest data on Omicron cases by region, as published by the UK Health Security Agency on December 13

The Omicron variant lacks the S gene that is found in the other variants of Covid - something that can be picked up by some PCR tests.

These results, known as SGTF cases, are not always guaranteed Omicron cases because the S gene can also fail in the Delta variant - but this is extremely rare.

So it is possible that a further 52 North East cases and 465 in Yorkshire and Humber, as of December 13, are Omicron.

A breakdown of the exact locations of confirmed Omicron cases is not available but the most recent information is available to view in an interactive map

Following Boris Johnson’s recent announcement that one million Covid booster jabs need to be administered daily to protect against Omicron, people are flocking to walk-in centres across the region or frantically trying to book appointments online.

Currently, you are eligible for a booster jab if you are aged 18 and over and it's been three months since you received a second dose of a Covid vaccine.

The availability of appointments and capacity of walk-in centres is ever-changing, but there are still a number of walk-in venues where people can get a booster jab without an appointment in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Read more: Omicron: Walk-in Covid booster jab centres in the North East

 

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