The pandemic is not over, with the Government’s chief medical officer warning that hospitalisations will continue to rise into early April.
Speaking at the LGA’s annual public health conference, Professor Chris Whitty said new variants could emerge at any point, albeit the current rise is being driven by Omicron and death rates remain low.
As first was going to press, the latest COVID-19 statistics showed positive tests were up 14.5 per cent on the previous seven days and patient admissions to hospitals up 19.5 per cent.
The LGA said that councils are managing multiple pressures across various services, including staff shortages as infection rates remain high, and support is needed to help local communities recover.
A spokesperson added: “With the move towards the ‘Living with covid plan’, we are seeking clarification from the Government on what local provision will still be needed, and what funding will be available to support it.”
Meanwhile, people aged 75 and over, residents in care homes, and those with weakened immune systems in England are now able to book an extra booster jab against COVID-19.
Spring boosters are already being rolled out in Wales and Scotland.
And the current and former Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza and Anne Longfield, have criticised the draft terms of reference for the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, which were published last month, for not mentioning children.
