Israel Rolls Out Plan For 2nd Booster Shots, UK Sees Omicron Hospitalizations Rise To 14

As far as COVID news Wednesday morning, the flow has been particularly heavy out of the UK, where the government's scientific advisors are reportedly ready to officially declare that those who become infected with the omicron strain are less likely to become severely ill, something that health experts in South Africa and around the world is likely true.

The variant is still not mild enough to avoid causing large numbers of hospitalizations.

Speaking of hospitalizations, the number of patients hospitalized with COVID caused by the omicron variant has climbed to 129 as of Wednesday morning, according to data released by HMG. Leaving aside the issue of the new variant's inherent infectiousness, governments around the world expect the coming winter wave to be milder than last year's - at least in terms of the number of deaths and hospitalizations threatening to overwhelm the system - because many more have been vaccinated since this time last year.

The UK has notably seen case numbers rise to record levels over the past week, while the US are still hanging on to their records from last winter.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the decision was an attempt to "Reduce the disruption" caused by COVID. And even after, those who leave their self-isolation after only 7 days are advised to limit contact with others.

Israel is preparing to launch its guidance for doling out second booster doses to all of its people, according to Reuters.

The tweet below nicely sums up the status of COVID in Israel.

https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/israel-rolls-out-plan-2nd-booster-shots-uk-sees-omicron-hospitalizations-rise-14