The UK has recorded 122,186 new cases of coronavirus and a further 137 deaths, the latest daily figures show. It is the highest number of new infections reported since the beginning of the pandemic. Yesterday there were 119,789 cases and 147 fatalities within 28 days of a positive test recorded. Seven days ago there were
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
The Queen is expected to deliver a particularly personal Christmas Day message as she prepares for her first festive period since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Buckingham Palace has released a photograph of the monarch taken during the recording of her annual festive address, filmed last week, showing her sitting behind a desk
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
Government advisers have recommended that vulnerable five- to 11-year-olds be offered a new paediatric formulation of the COVID vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said the vaccination should be given to children at higher risk of COVID-19. A statement said: “Children aged 5 to 11, who are in a clinical risk group
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
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,
Dominic Raab says he cannot make “hard, fast guarantees” that more restrictions won’t be imposed in the run-up to Christmas. However the deputy prime minister said he believes Britons will have a “much better Christmas than last year”. Mr Raab told Kay Burley: “I think we will have a much better Christmas than last year
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.
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,
Boris Johnson has suffered the biggest Conservative rebellion since the 2019 general election as almost 100 Tory MPs opposed the introduction of COVID certificates for nightclubs and large events in England. In a House of Commons vote that immediately raised further questions over the prime minister’s leadership, more than a quarter of Tory MPs opposed
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