Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer have each issued a solemn Christmas message to the nation expressing sorrow at the heartbreak of families who have lost a loved one to COVID this year. The prime minister, who says a coronavirus booster jab would be a “wonderful” Christmas gift, has called for thanks for those looking
UK
People with Omicron are significantly less likely to develop severe symptoms, but the effects of the booster vaccine wane after 10 weeks, according to new analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Early results suggest people are 30 to 45% less likely to go to A&E if they are infected with Omicron rather than
New data on the severity of the Omicron variant is set to be published today – after two studies showed that it appears to be milder than Delta. In a move likely to inform Boris Johnson’s decision over any further restrictions after Christmas, the UK Heath Security Agency (UKHSA) will release its analysis along with
The UK has reported more than 100,000 daily COVID cases for the first time since of the start of the pandemic. Some 106,122 cases have been recorded in the latest 24-hour period – around 13,000 more than the previous high of 93,045 on 17 December. A further 140 coronavirus-related deaths have also been recorded. The
The self-isolation period for people in England will be cut from 10 days to seven for those who can produce negative lateral flow results on both day six and their final day of quarantine. Making the announcement, Sajid Javid said the move has been informed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and that those
Boris Johnson has confirmed he will not introduce any further COVID restrictions in England before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains “finely balanced” ahead of the New Year. In a video posted on social media and released by Downing Street, the prime minister said “people can go ahead with their Christmas plans” but urges
Wales is ordering sports events to take place without fans to help fight Omicron, as reports suggest new restrictions in England are unlikely before Christmas but could come in before New Year. Indoor and outdoor events will have to take place behind closed doors from Boxing Day, said Welsh economy minister Vaughan Gething. Football sides
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not announced further restrictions today – but said he is following the data “hour by hour” and warned the rules could still be tightened in the days to come. The PM said the data is “under constant review”, with the situation “extremely difficult” and the “arguments either way are very,
Retired teachers and career-switchers are being urged to come forward to help with COVID staff shortages in the new year. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi is asking them to temporarily help plug gaps in order to maintain face-to-face teaching. The rapid spread of the Omicron variant is expected to force an increasing number of teachers to
Sajid Javid has not ruled out plans for a two-week circuit breaker after Christmas, as he accused those unwilling to have the vaccine of having a “damaging impact” on society. When pushed on reports that ministers are drawing up plans to introduce more restrictions after Christmas, the health secretary told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on
Extra restrictions are needed within days to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by Omicron, according to senior government scientists. Sky News understands experts who produce advice for ministers believe there are now “hundreds of thousands” of infections every day, many more than the number of official cases recorded on the daily dashboard. Even if transmission
The UK has reported 10,059 more Omicron cases – three times as many as were recorded yesterday. It takes the total number of cases of the new COVID variant to 24,968. Yesterday, 3,201 cases were reported. Follow the latest COVID updates in our live blog The daily figures, released by the UK Health Security Agency
Officials are drawing up plans for a two-week circuit breaker lockdown after Christmas which would include a ban on indoor mixing, according to reports. Draft regulations are being prepared which would ban meeting others indoors except for work purposes, and that pubs and restaurants would be limited to outdoor service only, according to The Times.
The UK has reported 93,045 cases of coronavirus in the latest 24-hour period – a record high for daily infections as the Omicron variant surges across the country. It comes after the UK recorded another 3,201 new cases of Omicron. It takes the total number of confirmed cases of the strain to 14,909 as it
Four children who are believed to be related have died in a house fire in south London. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were sent to Collingwood Road, Sutton, just before 7pm on Thursday. Crews faced an “intense blaze” throughout the whole of the ground floor of the
Every person infected with the Omicron COVID variant is believed to be passing it on to between three and five others on average, a senior government scientist has said. Dr Susan Hopkins, the UK Health Security Agency’s chief medical adviser, told MPs on the Commons health committee that for Omicron, the R value in the
The UK has recorded its higher-ever number of coronavirus cases, with 78,610 registered in the latest 24-hour period. England’s chief medical officer warned of worse to come as the Omicron variant continues to spread at an “absolutely phenomenal pace” across the country. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Professor Chris Whitty said daily COVID-19
A bouncer who murdered her partner’s child, toddler Star Hobson, has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 25 years. Star’s mother Frankie Smith was handed a jail term of eight years after she was convicted of causing or allowing her daughter’s death. After the couple, from Keighley in West Yorkshire,
People in Scotland should limit socialising to just three households amid rising cases of the Omicron variant, Nicola Sturgeon has said. Setting out the guidance, Ms Sturgeon said: “Turning to Christmas Day specifically, or Christmas Eve or Boxing Day or whenever you have your main family celebration, we are not asking you to cancel or
MPs have approved the government’s plan to reintroduce some COVID-19 restrictions following the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Parliament passed the Plan B COVID-19 rules, which involve regulations on face masks, isolation rules, COVID passes and compulsory vaccinations for healthcare workers. The rules on COVID passes were most fiercely opposed by Tory rebels. Under
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