Omicron strain makes up 90% of Covid cases across the country, Sajid Javid reveals as he tells Brits to get booster

THE HEALTH Secretary has revealed that 90% of the Covid cases across the country are the Omicron strain.

Speaking to Sky News, Sajid Javid said that the latest data showed that nearly all of the cases in England were the new variant.

It comes as a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.

"Well, we look at the data on a daily basis," the Health Secretary told Sky News this afternoon.

"We get the very best advice from our scientists, NHS and we put all that together.

"And whilst of course, there is some uncertainty around this variant it is growing fast.

"We think some 90% of cases now across England are this now Omicron variant. It shows you just how quickly it has spread."

Across England, Covid patients being admitted was up 74 per cent in the last week, with a further 1,281 being placed on wards on December 25.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid today said that the majority of people in hospital with Covid are unvaccinated.

Also today, Mr Sajid also announced that no new Covid restrictions would be imposed before January 1, saving New Year's Eve festivities.

Millions of Brits let out a collective sigh of relief as the Health Secretary confirmed they could welcome in the New Year surrounded by friends and loved ones.

"There will be no further measures before the new year.

"We won't be taking any further measures. Of course, people should remain cautious as we approach New Year celebrations", Javid said.

But Mr Javid urged Brits to be cautious and get their booster jabs to protect their communities.

"While there is still a lot of uncertainty around this new variant, we do know that our very best form of defence is vaccination," he said.

In other Covid-19 news:

• Boris Johnson will hold crunch talks with Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance on potential lockdown measures TODAY;
• Kids could be forced to work from home as gloomy school bosses "plan for the worst" due to Covid-related staff shortages;
• A huge update on coronavirus figures is expected this afternoon with infections being released at 4pm, for the first time since Christmas Eve;
• Weddings, funerals and births will not be restricted under Covid measures.

Thousands of Brits came out over the festive period to have their vaccines and booster shots.

There were more than 12,000 reported vaccinations on Christmas Day, including more than 10,000 top-up doses, and 24,078 on Boxing Day, including 20,278 top-ups.

Over the last three days, a total of 321,036 people have tested positive for the virus.

On December 25, a further 113,628 cases were recorded and on December 26 this was 108,893.

But while there will be no new legal restrictions for England on Monday, that does not rule out country-wide "guidance" which cannot be enforced by cops.

Measures could include the non-mandatory reintroduction of the loathed Rule of Six - but cops cannot fine Brits who disobey.

Boris Johnson has been reluctant to recall Parliament to rubberstamp legally-binding lockdown restrictions.

The PM was today expected to meet with top advisors Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance to go over the Omicron data collected over Christmas.

Over 320,000 new coronavirus infections have been recorded , the latest data has revealed.

Data on hospitalisations in London - ground zero for the latest highly transmissible variant - was also discussed, as the scientists gave a positive insight into the current outlook, it is understood.