Almost 200 military personnel have been deployed in London Hospitals due to shortages of staff caused by the omicron variant of COVID-19. 

According to a Ministry of Defense statement on Friday, the army personnel includes 40 military doctors and 160 without medical training who will be helping to check patients, maintain stocks, and do basic checks.
 
Thousands of hospital medical staff have gone off duty after testing positive as the omicron variant has surged in the British capital.

"The men and women of our Armed Forces are once again stepping up to support their dedicated colleagues in the NHS as they work hand-in-hand to protect the nation from COVID-19," Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said, referring to the National Health Service.

"They have shown their worth time and again throughout this pandemic, whether driving ambulances, administering vaccines or supporting patients in hospital, and they should be proud of their contribution to this truly national effort."

In London, 21 medical personnel will help transport critical care patients between intensive care units, while Army engineers will help maintain suction units used in ambulances.

In Wales, 60 soldiers have completed a two-day ambulance training course and assist paramedics with non-clinical tasks.

The RAF is already assisting the Scottish Ambulance Service by using its Puma helicopters to take patients to the hospital.

The East of England Ambulance Service will receive 37 personnel to assist with tasks including driving and logistics.

The group volunteers as emergency responders in their free time and have previously trained with the service.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Our armed forces always step forward at the appearance of threats to the country and its people.

"Across the United Kingdom, soldiers, sailors, airmen and women have got the backs of our NHS colleagues as they confront coronavirus."
Uk health officials on Thursday reported a further 179,756 COVID-19 cases.

In the last week, the number of those testing positive in a week has risen to over 1.27 million, a 29% jump.

Some hospital trusts outside London report that 19% of their staff are off duty due to COVID-19. Other National Health Service organizations report a 10% absence as personnel is sick or isolating.