An additional £60 million is being given to local authorities to support adult social care during January as Omicron cases rise. This Omicron Support Fund comes on top of £388 million already announced by the government for infection control and testing in the care sector. “Protecting care staff and people who use social care services continues to be a priority, especially as cases surge and Omicron spreads rapidly around the country,” said care minister Gillian Keegan. The new money is intended for a range of purposes, such as improving ventilation, increased use of direct payments, and paying for Covid-19 sickness and self-isolation pay for staff.
