Omicron variant in Central Bedfordshire
Wednesday, 8 December 2021
Update from Vicky Head, Director of Public Health, Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Milton Keynes Council.
We now have one confirmed case of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Central Bedfordshire and nine suspected cases in six households. Small numbers of cases have also been confirmed in neighbouring local authorities and cases are being confirmed across the country daily, some linked to community transmission rather than travel.
More Omicron cases will likely be confirmed in the coming days and Delta infections are also rising at a concerning rate in our area, so it is vital that everyone takes sensible precautions.
It is vital to get first, second and booster/third doses of vaccines as we know these protect well against serious illness from the Delta variant.
However, vaccines alone are not enough to control this virus – we should wear face coverings in shops, on public transport and other busy indoor areas, ensure good ventilation and keep at a safe distance from others, continue to take rapid tests before mixing with people in indoors or visiting someone who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, and isolate and take a PCR test if we have symptoms.