Contingency plans are being drawn up over fears a quarter of public sector workers could be absent due to the Omicron wave of COVID infections. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told ministers to test preparations for a possible worst-case scenario as daily coronavirus numbers continue to hit record levels. All government departments are also renewing
UK
A spectacular display in London has helped the UK usher in 2022, with people turning out to watch despite being encouraged to stay at home and enjoy the show on television. Details of the location of the spectacle, which involved a light show, drones and fireworks, were not revealed in advance amid the continuing spread
The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is increasing significantly, it has been warned, with one hospital suspending visitors “due to health and safety concerns”. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the council at the British Medical Association, told Sky News: “What’s concerning is that we are seeing significant increases in people in hospital. “In
Boris Johnson has used his New Year’s message to claim that the UK finds itself in an “incomparably better” position than this time last year when it comes to coronavirus. In a message that will be posted on social media on Friday, the prime minister will say the country has met its target of offering
Leading scientists have warned that ongoing shortages of COVID tests across the UK are a “great concern” ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. In recent days there have been widespread shortages of lateral flow and PCR tests for delivery on the government’s portal, with no PCRs available across the UK this morning. Health Secretary Sajid
A number of new Nightingale “surge hubs” are to be set up around England as the NHS goes on a “war footing” in preparation for a wave of Omicron hospital admissions. Eight locations with capacity for 100 patients will be set up, with work beginning this week, NHS England has said. More sites have also
More than 90% of community COVID cases in England are now Omicron, according to latest data. As it is now by far the dominant variant, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it would stop providing Omicron-specific daily updates from 31 December. Today, another 39,923 Omicron cases have been detected across the UK – the
The social care system in England is not fit for purpose and “may as well be handing over children directly to ruthless gangs and criminals”, according to a leading children’s rights campaigner. Anne Longfield, a former children’s commissioner for England, says some teenagers taken into care to safeguard them from county lines and criminal exploitation
The number of people in hospital with COVID in England has risen to 9,546, according to latest figures. This is up 38% from a week earlier and is the highest number since 3 March. The latest figure compares to 8,474 yesterday, according to NHS England and is a 12% rise in the number of people
The government has said it will not be introducing any fresh COVID restrictions in England this side of new year – despite the record rise in reported cases over the weekend. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said people should “remain cautious” when taking part in New Year’s celebrations – and take a lateral flow test before
England reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases on Christmas Day, latest figures have revealed. There were 113,628 infections confirmed on 25 December after a rush to get tested in the days prior. It’s also been revealed that there were 103,558 on Boxing Day, and 98,515 in the last 24-hour period. Latest COVID-19 news
More than 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccination appointments are now available between today and 3 January, as the government continues its booster jab drive to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant. Over 60% of UK adults have now received a top up, but the NHS’s top doctor has put out a fresh call asking those
“Blizzard conditions” could hit northern parts of the UK over higher ground on Sunday, forecasters have said, as heavy rain and snow are also expected in some regions. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow until midday in parts of northern England, as well as southern and central Scotland. The most severe
The NHS’s most senior doctor is calling upon those yet to receive their booster COVID-19 vaccination to urgently come forward for their third jab. NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis has said “there is no time to lose” for those still yet to top up their protection as the Omicron variant continues to spread
The Queen has used her Christmas message to pay a deeply moving tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, describing how his “mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him”. In an emotional and heartfelt address, the 95-year-old explained how her and the rest of the family
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
An estimated 1.7 million people had coronavirus across the UK last week, the highest number since comparable records began last year, new figures suggest. The new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data covers people who tested positive for COVID-19 outside hospital or a care setting during the week ending 19 December. In England there were
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
The UK has recorded 119,789 new COVID cases in the latest 24-hour period – the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic. A further 147 coronavirus-related deaths have also been reported. The latest daily figures compare with 106,122 cases – the previous record – and 140 deaths reported on Wednesday. Last Thursday, the
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