Nearly 5,000 people have booked a coronavirus vaccine since appointments for boosters were opened up to all over 18s in Jersey on Wednesday 15 December.

The vaccine programme is being accelerated amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The government confirmed yesterday (16 December) that fewer than five people in Jersey have tested positive for this more transmissible strain of the virus.

The vaccine programme has been extended to all over 18s to try and get as many people boosted before an expected surge in Omicron cases in the New Year.

Masks will be mandatory inside public spaces and working from home will be encouraged from 4 January.

95% of over 75s have had their booster jab, as of Sunday 12 December.

The UK has registered another 93,045 Covid infections - another new record high - and a rise of around 4,700 on yesterday (16 December).

Official stats also show 3,201 new cases of Omicron in the latest 24-hour period - nearly double yesterday's figure.

Today's stats show that two more people in Jersey have died after contracting Covid-19.

87 people have passed away in Jersey after being diagnosed with the virus.

122 new cases have been recorded over the last 24 hours, taking the total to 1,167.

Cases of Omicron and direct contacts of Omicron in Jersey have to isolate for ten days, but they can now go outside for exercise for up to two hours a day.

Ministers have u-turned after the decision not to allow outdoor exercise was blasted as draconian and non-sensical.