covid _ anyone who thinks our battle with covid is _ anyone who thinks our battle with covid is over, i'm afraid, is profoundly wrong. this is a moment for the _ profoundly wrong. this is a moment for the utmost caution. but our position— for the utmost caution. but our position today differs from previous waves _ position today differs from previous waves in _ position today differs from previous waves in two crucial respects. first, — waves in two crucial respects. first. we _ waves in two crucial respects. first, we now know that omicron is milder_ first, we now know that omicron is milder than— first, we now know that omicron is milder than previous variants, so, while _ milder than previous variants, so, while hospital admissions are rising quickly, _ while hospital admissions are rising quickly, with over 15,000 covid quickly, with over15,000 covid patients— quickly, with over 15,000 covid patients now in hospital in england atone, _ patients now in hospital in england atone, this — patients now in hospital in england alone, this is not yet, thankfully, translating — alone, this is not yet, thankfully, translating into the same numbers needing _ translating into the same numbers needing intensive care that we saw in previous— needing intensive care that we saw in previous waves. second, thanks to the fantastic — in previous waves. second, thanks to the fantastic national effort to get britain _ the fantastic national effort to get britain boosted, we now have a substantial level of protection, higher— substantial level of protection, higher than any substantial level of protection, higherthan any of substantial level of protection, higher than any of our european neighbours, with over 34 million boosters — neighbours, with over 34 million boosters administered, including in england _ boosters administered, including in england reaching more than 90% of the over— england reaching more than 90% of the over and 86% of the over—505. and so, _ the over and 86% of the over—505. and so, together with the plan b measures— and so, together with the plan b measures that we introduce before christmas, — measures that we introduce before christmas, we have a chance to ride