Responding to a COVID-19 update from the health and social care secretary, Sajid Javid, in the House of Commons today, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"It is concerning that we now have community transmission of the Omicron variant with 336 cases confirmed across multiple regions of the UK.

"As the health secretary said, there is still much we don't know in relation to Omicron, including the gap between infection and infecting others, and the severity of this strain.

"While we wait for more information, it is important we all continue to play our part in containing COVID-19 by taking up vaccinations when offered, following rules on self-isolation, using lateral flow tests, and wearing a mask, especially in crowded and indoor spaces, as well as ventilating rooms.

"The government must be ready to put in place tougher restrictions if and when necessary. This will be absolutely critical in the coming weeks."