A North East MP has called for urgent Government action to help stop the spread of coronavirus after case rates of the Omicron variant tripled in the region. 

Last week on December 15, the government reported 385 cases of Omicron in the North East of England.

However, according to the most recent data issued by the UK Health Secretary Agency, the number of Omicron cases in North East have reached 1,505.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly considering a return to Step 2 Covid restrictions from December 27.

Details of a possible post-Christmas lockdown emerged over the weekend which included restrictions on indoor mixing.

But government ministers have reportedly resisted calls from scientific advisors to introduce new measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19 before Christmas.

Read more: North East sees cases of Omicron more than triple in latest Covid figures

Yet Stockton North Labour MP Alex Cunningham has called for an update on the situation as soon as possible. 

He said: “We need urgent action to tackle the spread of Omicron, support businesses and people through financial measures, and protect the NHS.

“The Prime Minister needs to provide clear direction for these – and for people wondering about their Christmas plans – but is sadly, although not unsurprisingly, failing to give our country the leadership it needs.

“What needs to be done should always be guided by science but Labour will always put the national interest first and support the efforts to protect the public health of the nation.”

The Government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty appeared at an unscheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Monday.

Downing Street denied it was an emergency meeting, saying ministers were being updated on a fast-changing situation.

It comes after the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) warned daily hospital admissions could reach 3,000 without further restrictions.

Downing Street did not deny reports that a number of ministers – including Chancellor Rishi Sunak – have pushed back against calls for action without more evidence of the impact the virus would have.

 

Read more: New Covid drug to be offered to vulnerable NHS patients

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was part of the job of ministers to scrutinise any advice they were given.

“We need to strike the right balance between protecting lives and livelihoods. That is what we are focused on,” the spokesman said.

“This is a fast-moving situation. There are significant gaps in the data we have relating to this variant.

“We are working to get more clarity on what impact it has on things like severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths.

“It is one of the roles of ministers to scrutinise any advice and evidence provided, and consider it in the round. That is the function of Cabinet.”

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