A further 86 cases of the new Omicron COVID variant have been reported in the UK, taking the total to 246. This compares with a total of 160 yesterday – an increase of more than 50%. The UK Health Security Agency, which publishes the figures, says 18 of the cases are in Scotland, taking its
UK
The NHS is planning to roll out a “game-changing” anti-viral pill that people who have tested positive for coronavirus can take at home. Molnupiravir, sometimes known as Lagevrio, could be offered to the most vulnerable patients by Christmas, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Health Secretary Sajid Javid is reportedly preparing to announce the start of
All international arrivals to the UK will again be required to take pre-departure COVID-19 tests to tackle the spread of the new Omicron variant, the health secretary has announced. The rule applies to all travellers visiting the UK or returning from a holiday, regardless of vaccination status, and will come into force from 4am on
Unvaccinated women who suffered serious complications from COVID-19 during pregnancy have shared their “terrifying” stories to help encourage expectant mothers to get the jab. The three mothers, whose ordeals included emergency C-sections and coming close to death, feature in a new video as part of a campaign by the Department of Health and Social Care
More than half the confirmed cases of the new Omicron variant in the UK have occurred following at least two vaccination doses, health officials have said. A new technical briefing from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says 12 of the 22 known cases up to 30 November had been fully vaccinated. Another two people
France has rejected the idea of a joint British-French patrol in the English Channel to deal with the rising number of migrant crossing – but said Paris officials are “ready to pursue our operational cooperation” with the UK. Writing to Boris Johnson, French Prime Minister Jean Castex told his British counterpart that his country “cannot
The UK has recorded 53,945 new cases of coronavirus – the highest daily figure since mid-July following the European football championship. The last time more cases were reported was on 17 July, when 54,674 new COVID-19 cases were recorded, six days after the tournament’s final at Wembley. Public Health England previously said that England’s deep
A family of four is gearing up for a second Christmas shielding at home after the father was told he had a brain tumour. Greg Priddy was diagnosed with cancer at the end of November last year, after his strange behaviour and sudden weakness on his left side prompted his wife to make him seek
Some Omicron cases are reportedly experiencing “mild” symptoms and experts should have more information about the transmission of the new COVID variant within days, an epidemiologist at the World Health Organisation has said. Speaking at a news conference, Maria van Kerkhove said one of the possible scenarios is that Omicron may become more transmissible than
The government plans to offer booster vaccines to everyone over the age of 18 by the end of January, Boris Johnson has said. Speaking at a Downing Street news briefing on Tuesday, the PM said the rollout of booster programme will go in age order, and that there will be more than 1,500 community pharmacy
Survivors of the Channel tragedy have claimed French and British authorities didn’t respond to calls for help and disagreed about who was responsible - Sky News has been analysing marine data to see how the emergency response unfolded. Twenty-seven people died when the boat capsized and two survivors have said the group waited hours in
Today fresh measures designed to deal with the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron have come into force in England. They were announced by Prime Minster Boris Johnson at the weekend amid concern the new variant could be less responsive to vaccines and more infectious. Mask wearing in England is now compulsory in shops,
Six cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been found in Scotland, authorities have confirmed. They are in addition to the three already detected in England. Four cases are in the Lanarkshire area and two have been identified in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. Scotland’s health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “This will be a
Millions more adults and children could be offered extra COVID-19 jabs under emergency measures to limit the spread of the Omicron variant. Experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are due to make a decision on offering booster jabs to all over-18s and cutting the gap before a third dose as early
A third person infected with the Omicron coronavirus variant has been identified in the UK, health officials have said. The individual, who is no longer in the country, tested positive after travelling to Britain and “is linked to travel to southern Africa“. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is now carrying out targeted testing where
Boris Johnson has said that people who come into close contact with anyone who tests positive for coronavirus with the new Omicron variant will have to self-isolate, regardless of their jab status, as he delivered a press conference in Downing Street. The prime minister warned the Omicron variant could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, as
Two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in the UK, the health secretary has said. Sajid Javid also said there would be targeted testing in the areas where the cases were found – in Chelmsford and in Nottingham. He said the two individuals are now self-isolating. Making the announcement, Mr Javid added:
Police investigating the murder of a 12-year-old girl in Liverpool city centre are going to review hundreds of hours of CCTV in an attempt to find out what happened. Ava White suffered “catastrophic injuries” when she was assaulted after a Christmas lights switch-on event on Thursday evening. Merseyside Police said she had been involved in
No cases of the new COVID variant have been detected in the UK, but it is highly likely it has now spread beyond southern Africa, the health secretary has said. Sajid Javid warned the new strain could be more transmissible than the Delta variant and there is a “possibility it might have a different impact
Britain is bringing in travel restrictions for six African countries due to a new COVID variant that UK experts have called the “worst one we’ve seen so far”. Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: “UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we’re taking precautions now. “Six African countries