Viimeisimmän tiedon mukaan Omikron ei ole niin vaarallinen kuin Delta

Boris Johnson hit the brakes on Christmas lockdown as scientists concluded the Omicron strain is likely to be milder than Delta, it was revealed today - with ministers saying cases are also lower than feared.

However, in a glimmer of light there are claims today that the UK Health Security Agency has tentatively backed suggestions that Omicron infections tend to be less severe.

The scientists also endorsed previous findings that booster jabs offer significant protection from developing symptoms and ending up in hospital, according to Politico. Another South African study has suggested the risk of hospitalisation is 80 per cent lower with the variant.

The evidence - due to be published formally in the coming days - does not mean that the threat from the variant can be ignored, as it is so transmissible that large numbers are set to end up needing urgent care.