Column by Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie.

The Government has taken swift action over the last few days to try and delay the spread of the new Omicron Covid strain.

The jury is out whether this mutation of the virus will lead to any substantial problems but it appears to be more transmissible than the dominant Delta variant.

It is also too early to say if it will lessen the effectiveness of the vaccines we have, but they can be tweaked in around 100 days so even if the worst-case scenario happens, we remain in a much better place than before the vaccine rollout.

Omicron is here in the UK and more cases will come to light. I understand why the Prime Minister has tightened restrictions around face masks, self-isolation and foreign travel to gain us time while scientists find out what the new variant can and cannot do.

Past experience these last 20 months has told us we cannot be complacent about Covid. The Government has done the right thing as far as the experts are concerned and while we wait for information, the best thing we can do is get our booster and flu jabs. Those in their forties can book now and it has been announced those over 18 will be offered the booster too. Please grab a jab. The scientists and medics are clear that it is the best way to keep businesses open, children in classes and Christmas on schedule.

Locally, Covid cases continue to rise with an increase last week. However, hospitalisations and serious illness remain a fraction of what they were due to the vaccines and better treatment.

The most infections are occurring in the 5 to 14-year-old age bracket who thankfully really very rarely suffer serious illness from the virus. I am clear that schools should not close as children are still experiencing the impact of the first lockdown.

Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust told me last week that they had 53 patients with Covid eight of whom are in critical care. Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust has one Covid patient.

If we scroll back to this time last year, the figures were much higher. This does not mean that our hospitals are not under extreme pressure due to a range of issues this winter and due to the social care sector needing more support but the situation is much better than 12 months ago.

I had a brilliant time on an early morning visit to the Royal Mail Stroud Sorting Office in Salmon Springs last week. I wanted to ensure I had said thank you to our posties for all they have done during the pandemic to keep the mail and life moving.

It’s certainly been a busy time for them as people went online to buy goods during the lockdowns. Now Christmas is upon us and another busy time beckons but I know they are up to the task.

Many thanks to manager Trevor Manning and his staff for a warm welcome and for the invitation to go on a round in the new year. I am definitely going to take up the offer.