Covid Diary Dec 2021

 14^th December 2021.

 

Another year is nearly over but sadly covid is not. Omicron the newest variant is increasing at a rapid pace.

Is there another lockdown looming or Christmas restrictions?

Boris made a Downing street announcement on Sunday evening announcing Plan B restrictions to slow the spread of Covid and the Omicron variant. This includes face coverings on public transport and in enclosed spaces including shops. So far, no restrictions have been imposed on the hospitality industry, but people are cancelling bookings. Work from home if you can is also implemented, but some companies are still insisting that staff come to the workplace.

A massive drive to get all adults vaccinated or have an appointment booked, by the end of the year is underway. Walk In clinics have been set up and there are massive queues throughout the country. A million boosters per day is the target.

Marlow vaccination centre is fully booked until Christmas and they are short of people to administer the vaccine. A roving vaccine van came to Marlow yesterday morning and was completely out of vaccine by lunchtime. I know that the age range has changed but some of the over 50s still had not booked when allowed to.

A neighbour caught Covid at a works party and it is spreading throughout the household.

I have read that 2 doses of the AZ vaccine 6 months ago will now only give a 10% protection the booster will however significantly increase that.

Omicron is currently accounting for 20% of cases in England. The Health secretary has warned that hospital admissions will drastically increase.

MPs will vote later today on a set of measures aimed at slowing the spread. 70 MPs are said to be voting against, but the Labour party are voting for.

Scotland are to set new guidelines on social distancing but there will be exceptions around Christmas.

A warning has gone out that the real number of Omicron infections per day is 200,000. 54,000 + was the reported number yesterday. 

 

We went to the Vanilla pod on Friday but were safely tucked into the private dining room with Colleen, Pauric, Martyn and Sue. It was very good indeed. 

Tomorrow we are going to one of the walking groups Christmas dinner. Not feeling so happy about it to be honest but there we are. Another get together on Saturday has been cancelled which all concerned are happy about. Then we can keep ourselves safe and well to hopefully enjoy a good Christmas.

 

As I write this the BBC has just announced that the variant is spreading faster than ever and we are in for a difficult 4 weeks. 

 

Well we are all set for Christmas and hopefully Joyce will be able to come down this year. Time will tell