Sajid Javid issues fresh booster plea as Covid-19 cases rise in London

Some 1,017 Covid patients were admitted in the seven days to Tuesday – compared with 801 in the preceding seven days
Medical staff wearing PPE on a ward for Covid patients at King’s College Hospital, in London
PA Wire

Londoners who have yet to get a Covid booster were on Friday urged to come forward for the third jab as a recent rise in cases sparked concern.

There has been a 27 per cent week-on-week increase in the number of people being hospitalised with the virus in the capital.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the Standard that the capital had a “crucial role to play” in keeping the pandemic in check.

A total of 1,017 Covid patients were admitted in the seven days to Tuesday – compared with 801 in the preceding seven days.

As of Thursday night there were a total of 1,619 Covid inpatients in London hospitals.

More than 4.2m boosters or third doses have been given in London but only 45.7 per cent of the capital’s eligible population is fully protected.

About 30 per cent of Londoners are unvaccinated.

The latest round of Imperial College London’s React study this week found that case numbers continue to decline across the country but infection rates remain high.

The study, which analysed data up to March 1, found a prevalence rate of 2.88 per cent – meaning that one in 35 people in England had Covid. Rates were highest in people aged 55 or older.

Rates of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2 were highest in London, at 44.3 per cent of all positive cases in the capital.

Six London boroughs - Lambeth, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Camden and Wandsworth – were among the top 10 boroughs with the highest Covid infection rates in the country.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “The pandemic is not over and that we can expect to see Covid-19 circulating at high levels.”

Mr Javid said: “Vaccines are our best defence against covid and will protect you, your community and your loved ones from the virus.

“The capital has a crucial role to play as we learn to live with covid. While more than four million Londoners have already had their booster, it is so important that all of those who are eligible come forward as soon as they can.

“It’s never too late to get your first, second or booster jab, which is vital to keeping your immunity topped up.

“People aged 18 and over can book an appointment using the National Booking Service to get their jab at sites across London, and I urge people to do so as soon as possible.”

The ability to book a booster for children aged 12-15 classed as clinically vulnerable, including those who are severely immunosuppressed or have underlying health conditions, opened online on Friday.

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