Around £1 million has been awarded by the Government to support the adult social care sector in Hertfordshire as Omicron continues to spread.

It is part of a total of £60 million of additional funding that is being given to local authorities for January 2022.

The Department of Health & Social Care says the money is in recognition of the "increased pressure" on existing funding sources caused by the spread of the new Covid-19 variant.

The purpose of the Adult Social Care Omicron Support Fund grant is to support the adult social care sector with measures already covered by the infection prevention and control allocation of the Infection Control and Testing Fund to reduce the rate of Covid transmission within and between care settings.

The funding may also be used to increase ventilation in care homes, and to enhance local authorities’ current direct payment offer particularly when the only way a person’s care needs can be met is by a friend or family member, or to enhance support for carers.

It may also be used to pay for temporary staffing to cover increased staff absence caused by Covid and maintain staffing levels and workforce capacity.

Hertfordshire County Council has officially been awarded £1,033,604 and the council has been given discretion to use the money as it is needed locally.