The government expects to see a fourth wave driven by Covid-19’s omicron variant over the rest of the year and into the next.
In its latest Covid surveillance report, the government has said the island is seeing a possible fall in the third wave of Covid-19 transmission but the omicron variant, now in the Isle of Man, is ’rapidly becoming the dominant strain across the UK’.
It said: ’It is not yet possible to model the impact of this or its implications for demand on NHS services with any accuracy at this stage.’
The government has reported there are indicators that suggest the wave that is now declining was driven ’almost entirely’ by transmission of the delta variant.
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The report said that following border relaxation, rates on island and patterns of incidence have, ’as expected’, aligned with the pattern seen in the UK.
Cases have fallen this week, with a fall in or levelling of cases across all age groups.
According to the latest government Covid update, there are 83 new cases, 20 of which are pending investigation.
This brings the total number of active cases in the island to 691. Seven people are currently in hospital with the virus, with none in the intensive care unit.
The vaccine clinic that was due to be held this Saturday for 12- to 17-year-olds to receive a Covid-19 vaccine is now cancelled.
Instead, the clinic will be used to offer booster jabs to eligible adults in an attempt to increase the number of individuals protected against the virus.
This follows the UK government’s announcement and subsequently the island’s message that providing a booster to all eligible adults is a matter of urgency.
Minister for Health and Social Care Lawrie Hooper MHK said: ’The vaccination team have reviewed the very low attendance at previous clinics for young people, including the most recent one last weekend, and the increased pressure to offer boosters as quickly as possible and made the decision to cancel the clinic for 12- to 17-year-olds.
’By cancelling the clinic for 12 to 17s, it means that the team will be able to use these appointments and prioritise giving the booster to those who are in older age groups.’
The clinic on December 18 will be appointment based only with those aged 40 and over encouraged to book an appointment online.
Do not call 111 in an attempt to move your appointment forward. The team will look to organise clinics for children and young people as soon as possible in the new year.