COVID-19: Should you cancel your Christmas plans because of Omicron?

The new COVID-19 strain Omicron was first reported less than a month ago, but it is spreading rapidly. A study by researchers in Hong Kong reported that the variant multiplies about 70 times faster inside human respiratory tract tissue than the Delta variant does. In addition, the Omicron strain reaches higher levels in the tissue 48 hours after infection, compared with Delta.

The severity of infection is still uncertain, too. Recent data from the COVID-19 Symptom Study app by Zoe and King's College London show the top five symptoms reported in the app for Omicron infection were runny nose, headache, fatigue (either mild or severe), sneezing and sore throat. Early data from South Africa suggests the risk of hospitalisation among people with the Omicron is about 29% lower than with the original COVID-19 variant - but that still means over 70% of the original risk remains.

However, symptoms may be more severe for some people, especially the vulnerable or unvaccinated. The government still lists fever, cough, and loss of sense of smell or taste as the main COVID-19 symptoms to watch out for.

Although healthcare workers and volunteers are working hard to get people vaccinated, there are still concerns around the efficacy of our vaccines against Omicron. Vaccines protect against serious illness and hospitalisation, but two vaccines alone may not provide as much protection against Omicron infection. However, research by Imperial College London suggests that getting a booster could provide between 80% to 85% protection against severe illness.

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Should you cancel your Christmas plans?

Christmas parties and events with large numbers of attendees pose a higher risk of infection with Omicron. If multiple households get together on Christmas Day, the number of potential exposures is likely to climb.

It is also likely that the UK will enter another lockdown in response to the high and growing number of cases of Omicron. Scientific advisers have warned England's hospital admissions could reach 3,000 a day without new measures, which would put intense strain on the NHS. This would have serious implications for anyone needing medical treatment. While the government did not change its guidance on 20th December, neither did it rule out further restrictions.

It is important to remember that any gathering at Christmas can lead to infection with COVID-19, even in the vaccinated. "Omicron is set to be the dominant strain in the UK by Christmas, and in the New Year cases could hit a peak higher than anything we've ever seen before," says Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID-19 Study app.

"Ahead of Christmas, if people want to get together and keep vulnerable family members safe, I'd recommend limiting social contact in the run-up to Christmas and doing lateral flow tests just before the big family gathering."

Rodney E. Rohde, a professor of clinical laboratory science and an infectious disease specialist at Texas State University, says it's important that people are fully vaccinated and boosted. "However, if one is not vaccinated (and now, boosted), then there is more risk involved," he says, adding it is about reducing the risk to yourself and other people.

"There is always an element of risk, but we can all reduce that risk if we layer the protection for ourselves and those around us."

Make sure you do lateral flow tests

"There needs to be a special emphasis on care," says William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine at Vanderbilt University. "For example, all guests must be vaccinated (and ideally boosted at least 14 days earlier). Another layer of security could be provided if everyone got a rapid test the morning of the get-together.

"Those at high risk might consider limiting the number of seasonal parties they attend," he adds. "If they attend worship services, they ought to wear masks and sit apart from others. By being cautious we still can retain the spirit of the holidays."

In England, people without symptoms are advised to do rapid tests on days when they are more likely to catch or spread COVID-19. Examples might include, before mixing with other people indoors or when visiting someone at risk of becoming seriously unwell from the virus.

In Scotland, people have been advised to test before mixing with other households or visiting busy areas. People in Wales and Northern Ireland are also being asked to test before going to crowded places or visiting others.

If you do develop symptoms, it's important to do a PCR test as soon as possible and stay at home until you get your result. If it is positive, you need to self-isolate. The self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days.