Health bosses in Liverpool say Omicron variant shouldn't mean Christmas needs to be cancelled
There's been an increase in people coming forward to book their vaccinations after the variant of concern was identified here
Health bosses in Liverpool say the discovery of a Covid variant of concern here shouldn't mean Christmas needs to be cancelled.
The race is on to identify contacts of a person who tested positive for Omicron earlier this week.
We're hearing that's lead to an increase in people coming forward to book their vaccinations with officials here planning to open more vaccine centres to cope with demand.
Here's Liverpool's Director of Public Health Matt Ashton :
"The vaccination centre's right now are quite busy as a result of the Omicron variant, which is great so I'd encourage people to take up the offer in a planned way, don't just turn up but book your appointment because centres are busy.
"This isn't about cancelling Christmas but it's about taking the necessary precautions. Before people go out take a lateral flow test and if you are positive then don't go and don't expose others to the virus.
"Use of face coverings, infection control, good hand hygiene; things that aren't hard to do but will protect you and protect others".
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.