south _ previously seen in south africa. and south africa — previously seen in south africa. and south africa is also seeing hospitalisations roughly doubling in a week _ hospitalisations roughly doubling in a week. meaning that we can't yet assume _ a week. meaning that we can't yet assume that omicron is less severe than previous variants, so while the picture _ than previous variants, so while the picture may— than previous variants, so while the picture may get better, and i sincerely— picture may get better, and i sincerely hope that it will, we know that the _ sincerely hope that it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a hu-e exponential growth could lead to a huge rise — exponential growth could lead to a huge rise in hospitalisations and therefore — huge rise in hospitalisations and therefore sadly in deaths. that is why it _ therefore sadly in deaths. that is why it is — therefore sadly in deaths. that is why it is now the proportionate and responsible thing to move to plan b in england. — responsible thing to move to plan b in england, while continuing to work closely— in england, while continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the devolved — closely with our colleagues in the devolved administrations, so we slow the spread _ devolved administrations, so we slow the spread of the virus, we buy ourselves— the spread of the virus, we buy ourselves the time to get yet more boosters _ ourselves the time to get yet more boosters into arms, and especially in the _ boosters into arms, and especially in the older— boosters into arms, and especially in the olderand boosters into arms, and especially in the older and more vulnerable people. — in the older and more vulnerable people, and understand the answers to the _ people, and understand the answers to the key— people, and understand the answers to the key outstanding questions about— to the key outstanding questions about omicron. so, first, we will