The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom will face a "rocky few weeks ahead," according to UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid, as Covid cases continue to rise in the country. During a visit to a hospital in London, Javid stated that the health service is facing "challenging times," and that the "best thing" people can do is get their booster shot, according to the Xinhua news agency. Javid's remarks came after two major incidents were declared in England as a result of the spread of the Omicron variant. "We now know that Omicron is less severe, and we certainly know that once you get boosted, your chance of hospitalization is nearly 90% lower than it was with Delta," he said. According to official figures, the UK reported 178,250 coronavirus cases in the most recent 24 hour period, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 14,279,785. A total of 229 people were killed in the country. The total number of coronavirus related deaths in the United Kingdom is now 150,222, with 18,454 patients still hospitalized. According to Sky News, 200 Armed Forces personnel are being deployed to support the NHS in London as hospitals struggle with staff shortages. According to the Royal College of Nursing, the deployment means the government can no longer deny the NHS is experiencing a "staffing crisis." According to the most recent figures, more than 90% of people aged 12 and up have received their first dose of vaccine, and more than 82% have been fully immunized. More than 61% have received booster shots.