Yahoo Finance Covid news – live: Omicron data expected ‘in days’ as UK buys millions more Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
Scientists are imminently expecting data relating to how transmissible the omicron variant of Covid is, according to the World Health Organisation.
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the agency’s Covid-19 technical lead, told a press briefing on Wednesday it is still “very early days” in terms of understanding the new variant, but insisted information is coming in all the time.
“We expect to [know] more on transmission within days, not necessarily weeks, but in days,” she said, while stressing the need for “all countries” around the world – of which 23 have so far reported cases of omicron – to continue encouraging their residents to get vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the government has sped up signing new contracts for millions more Covid vaccines in light of the new variant. Health secretary Sajid Javid announced the move on Wednesday night, saying 60 million Moderna shots had been acquired along with 54 million Pfizer doses for next year and 2023.
Follow our live coverage below
Read More
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Key Points
Omicron transmissibility data expected ‘in days,’ says WHO official
Ministers buy millions more Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
PM should apologise for No 10 party during lockdown – Lammy
No ‘snogging under the mistletoe’ for strangers this Christmas, Coffey says
Nine new omicron cases detected in England
‘Plenty of reason’ to think omicron ‘worst variant yet,’ says Sage member
Ministers buy millions more Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
22:59 , Sam Hancock
Sajid Javid announced this evening that the government agreed deals to buy 114 million more Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid vaccines, saying ministers had sped up signing the new contracts in light of the new omicron variant.
The deal involves an additional 60 million Moderna shots and 54 million Pfizer doses for next year and 2023, and will also include access to any modified vaccinations if they are needed to combat the omicron strain or any other variant.
“These new deals will future proof the Great British vaccination effort - which has so far delivered more than 115 million first, second and booster jabs across the UK - and will ensure we can protect even more people in the years ahead,” the health secretary said in a statement.
So far, nearly 51 million people in the UK have received their first Covid vaccine - almost 89 per cent of the population aged over 12 - more than 46 million have had two doses, and some 18.6 million have received a booster shot.
No ‘snogging under the mistletoe’ for strangers this Christmas, Coffey says
22:18 , Sam Hancock
A Cabinet minister has advised Britons against “snogging” people they “don’t know” under the mistletoe this year, to help limit the spread of the new omicron Covid variant.
Asked if she sided with the government or Dr Jenny Harries over the approach to socialising over the festive period, Therese Coffey, the work and pensions secretary told ITV’s Peston programme that “we should all be trying to enjoy the Christmas ahead of us”.
“For what it’s worth, I don’t think there should be much snogging under the mistletoe,” she quipped, clarifying: [You] don’t need to do things like that.”
She also said the government was “working so hard to get the deployment of as many vaccines as possible” to allow people to enjoy the festive period.
When it was put to her that it sounded like she was backing Dr Harries, Dr Coffey said: “No, Christmas we should continue to plan for and enjoy.” But, she added “snogging” should be avoided with “people you don’t already know”.
ICYMI: Watch Starmer accuse PM of ‘taking Britons for fools’ over Christmas party
21:52 , Sam Hancock
Experts concerned over impact of omicron on drugs for vulnerable patients
21:37 , Sam Hancock
Scientists fear the omicron coronavirus variant will reduce the effectiveness of key drugs that are used to treat Covid-19 in vulnerable patients.
As with the vaccines, it remains unclear as to what extent omicron will dent the protective levels provided by lab-made antibodies – a treatment that is available via the NHS for those people who struggle to mount a strong immune response against Covid-19.
But due to the high number of mutations in the variant’s spike protein, which is targeted by the antibodies, it’s expected that this type of treatment may need to be tweaked to better identify and neutralise omicron, reports our science correspondent Samuel Lovett.
Experts fear Omicron will impact effectiveness of key drugs for vulnerable patients
Watch: Everything we know so far about omicron strain
21:15 , Sam Hancock
Anger in Scotland amid confusion over booster jab advice
20:55 , Sam Hancock
MSPs have accused the Scottish government of sending out “mixed messages” on booster vaccine eligibility, which they say is leaving the public “frustrated and confused”.
New guidance published this week by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) says booster doses now should be given no sooner than three months after people have had their second dose of an original vaccine. Previously, the advice said boosters should be given six months after a second dose.
However, concerns have been raised in Scotland that the outdated advice is still being applied, with some people reporting on social media they have been turned away for appointments.
A Scottish government spokesperson said instructions have been issued to health boards to vaccinate in line with the JCVI’s latest guidance.
Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for health Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “Patients are rightly frustrated and confused over mixed messages coming from the SNP Government on booster vaccine eligibility. We are facing an urgent and developing situation that requires immediate action.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour’s health and Covid recovery spokesperson Jackie Baillie added the situation was “nothing short of a shambles”. She added: “The change to JCVI guidance is clear, and all those eligible should be able to receive their booster as quickly as possible.”
Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP government responded by apologising in a statement “to those people who have been keen to get their booster vaccination and attended before the necessary protocols were in place”.
First US omicron case found in person without booster – Fauci
20:30 , Sam Hancock
Following my earlier post (7.15pm), Dr Anthony Fauci announced that the first case of omicron found in the US was in someone who had been double jabbed – but did not have a booster.
The individual who tested positive was a traveler who returned to San Francisco, in California, on 22 November from a trip to South Africa, where the variant was first identified.
The results were confirmed via genomic sequencing at the University of California San Francisco, and verified by the California and San Francisco departments of public health, as well as the federal Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Josh Marcus reports:
Omicron: First US case found in person who got vaccine but not booster, says Fauci
ICYMI: Watch Sajid Javid say Britons ‘don’t need to change their Christmas plans’
20:15 , Sam Hancock
Professor ‘doesn’t see’ omicron replacing delta as dominant variant
19:57 , Sam Hancock
A leading epidemiologist has questioned whether the new variant of Covid will be able to replace the current, dominant strain.
Speaking to Sky News this evening, Prof Tim Spector said in order for this to happen, omicron would have to “displace delta” altogether – which he added will be hard considering the large majority of people have now built up immunity to it.
This is important as it is so-called “displacement” that could potentially allow omicron to take hold and cause another mass wave of infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
“So, we are going to so more cases [of omicron],” Prof Spector said, “but I don’t see it ‘exploding’ in perhaps the way it would’ve done if we hadn’t been infected with other [variants] , or before most of the country got vaccinated.”
If the variant has been circulating for a while - why are we not seeing higher cases or hospitalisations?
Professor Tim Spector says for Omicron to take over "it's probably got to displace Delta" and many people already have natural immunity to Delta.https://t.co/lAbX3DC4ta pic.twitter.com/p6J8OqeYMn— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 1, 2021
Opinion: ‘PM can’t afford for mixed messaging over Covid’
19:35 , Sam Hancock
Our political columnist Andrew Grice writes about the worsening Covid situation at an already-turbulent time for Boris Johnson.
A new Covid-19 variant was the last thing the PM wanted for Christmas but could omicron provide the firebreak that ends his terrible run in recent weeks?
Mr Johnson would much rather take ownership of the booster campaign than answer questions about his Peppa Pig speech, “Tory sleaze” or people crossing the Channel in small boats – on which he refused to speak at his press conference last night.
Some allies hope the huge booster jab effort could literally boost the prime minister who loves boosterism, while denying a revived Labour opposition media space. Ministers point out that the UK is ahead of Europe on boosters, as it was during the initial vaccine rollout. Yet Johnson cannot be sure he will get another “vaccine bounce,” which helped the Tories open a 10-point opinion poll lead by May.
Read Andrew’s thinking in full here:
Johnson can’t afford for mixed messaging over Covid to take hold again | Andrew Grice
Watch: Dr Fauci confirms first US omicron case
19:25 , Sam Hancock
First US case of omicron found in California
19:15 , Sam Hancock
Over to the US now, where the first case of the omicron Covid variant has been identified in California.
“The individual was a traveller who returned from South Africa on 22 November,” the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement.
“The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-isolating and has been since testing positive. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative.”
CDC identifies first case of omicron Covid variant in US
Focus should be on first vaccines - not boosters, says WHO
19:04 , Sam Hancock
More from the WHO now, after the agency’s chief scientist suggested this evening the focus around the world should be on encouraging people to take up their first Covid vaccine - not on giving booster jabs, as is the case in the UK.
She told a press briefing: “I just want to reiterate what was just said, that our goal should be really to protect those who have not yet received their primary cause of vaccination.
“And this is true in all countries.”
She added: “Some countries are doing, as a precautionary principle, providing additional doses to people because they have adequate supplies, and they’re just doing it.
“There isn’t a whole lot of evidence that everybody over the age of 18, or for that matter above any age, is going to benefit from this.”
It comes after the UK government announced it would be inviting all adults, 18 and over, to get a third so-called booster jab amid concerns over the new Covid variant, omicron.
Further 48,374 Covid cases and 171 deaths in UK
18:41 , Sam Hancock
The latest government data shows that, in the last 24-hour period, 48,374 more Covid cases were detected across the UK.
There were also 171 deaths recorded within 28 days of someone testing positive for the virus.
The #COVID19 Dashboard has been updated: https://t.co/XhspoyTG79
On 1 December, 48,374 new cases and 171 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported across the UK.
Our data includes the number of people receiving a first, second and booster dose of the #vaccine: pic.twitter.com/uLW7qD2IKZ— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 1, 2021
‘Cancellation after cancellation’: Hospitality bosses fear another ruined Christmas
18:26 , Sam Hancock
Every day, Richard Hibbert does something which, as a restaurateur, he never imagined he would have to do: he gets on his phone and checks local hospital admission figures.
Having had a year struggling through lockdowns and restrictions, he is desperate to glean any clue about potential future disruption at his three Retreat venues in Bolton and Lancashire.
“They’ve been steady since the summer,” he says of those figures. “And they’re still steady now but…”
The ‘but’ is omicron, write Thomas Kingsley and Colin Drury.
‘It’s cancellation after cancellation’: hospitality leaders face omicron fears
‘Plenty of reason’ to think omicron ‘worst variant yet,’ says Sage member
18:17 , Sam Hancock
A professor has acknowledged the “timing” of omicron’s emergence “couldn’t be worse” but warned “we can’t change that”, while advising the government to do its bit to help already-struggling businesses.
“We have plenty of reason to think this could be the worst variant yet,” Professor Christina Pagel, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told Sky News this evening.
“So yes, I think the government should be footing the bill to help those in the hospitality sector.”
"The timing couldn't be worse"
Professor Christina Pagel, member of SAGE, says "we have plenty of reason to think this could be the worst variant yet". #COVID19: https://t.co/a0N9MkT4mJ pic.twitter.com/WAQjWDRx6g— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 1, 2021
PM should apologise for No 10 Christmas party – Lammy
18:05 , Sam Hancock
Boris Johnson is being urged to apologise following allegations that a Christmas party was held in Downing Street last year, when the rest of Britain was under strict coronavirus restrictions.
Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy became the latest senior politician to warn the PM over his failure to say sorry as No 10 continues to insist “all Covid guidance” was adhered to.
The Daily Mirror said in its exclusive report that the PM gave a speech at a “packed leaving do” for a senior aide last November when the country was in the midst of the second lockdown.
The newspaper claims members of his Downing Street team then held their own festive party days before Christmas, while London was under Tier 3 restrictions.
Asked on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme about the reports, Mr Lammy said: “He should at the very least apologise. I didn’t spend last Christmas with my family because the lockdown came, I was here in the UK and my family had already left to go abroad.
“Many, many families have suffered sacrifices over this time because they’ve stuck to the rules. And time and time again with this government, it’s one rule for them, and that’s particularly government ministers, and another rule for everybody else.”
Mr Johnson has not denied that a “boozy” Christmas party was held, but claimed no rules were broken.
Austria extends Covid lockdown by 10 days
17:47 , Sam Hancock
Austria’s national lockdown has been extended until at least 11 December, amid early data signalling the current restrictions are working to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The only significant change to the measures – which will take effect from Thursday – are that essential shops will now have to close by 7pm, instead of 9pm, and that the sale of Christmas trees will be permitted.
It comes after a parliamentary committee voted on Wednesday to extend the lockdown, which started on 22 November as a result of rising deaths and hospitalisations – pushing some of the country’s hospitals to the brink.
Read our full report:
Austria extends Covid lockdown by 10 days – but permits sale of Christmas trees
Watch: Couple stranded in South Africa facing £3,700 quarantine bill
17:33 , Sam Hancock
Advisers ‘can’t rule out’ omicron causing biggest wave yet of infections
17:32 , Sam Hancock
The omicron variant could see a surge in new Covid-19 infections across Britain even bigger than previous waves, a key group of government advisers has warned.
Scientists in the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), which advises Boris Johnson’s government, met last week to discuss the impact of the new variant in the UK.
“We cannot exclude that this wave would be of a magnitude similar, or even larger, than previous waves,” the advisers stated in minutes from the 25 November meeting, finds Adam Forrest.
Government’s Nervtag advisers ‘can’t rule out’ omicron causing biggest wave yet
Omicron transmissibility data expected ‘within days’
16:59 , Sam Hancock
Health officials are expecting to have more information about the transmissibility of omicron “within days”.
The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Covid-19 technical lead also said there is no current evidence to suggest vaccines in use at the moment “won’t work” against the new variant.
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove stressed the vaccines that are currently in use have “very strong protection” against the dominant virus - delta - that is still circulating, and that “even if there is a reduction in efficacy [against omicron], it’s still better to have the vaccine because it will save your life”.
“Vaccines are saving lives. And we need vaccines to get into the arms of all of those who are at risk in every single country, not just in some countries, and not adding more vaccines to people who are already protected, but getting that first and second dose to those individuals who are at risk in all countries,” she told the same WHO press briefing as in my last post.
“And this is really important that this is crystal clear today because there is still a lot of uncertainty around omicron, and this data will come in and there are scientists around the world that are studying this.”
WHO reminds world leaders not to forget delta variant
16:49 , Sam Hancock
More from Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus now, who has used his WHO presser to call on “all countries” to optimise public health and social measures – and ensure all high risk and vulnerable individuals are “fully vaccinated immediately”.
He also warned that the delta Covid variant must not be forgotten about, as it remains the dominant strain in almost “all cases globally”.
“We need to use the tools we already have to prevent transmission and save lives from delta,” Dr Ghebreyesus told the world’s media. “And if we do that, we will also prevent transmission and save lives from omicron.”
The WHO director-general also took time to condemn countries who had “penalised” regions such as Botswana and South Africa “for detecting sequencing and reporting this variant so rapidly” and being “transparent”. This includes putting the countries on their travel red lists.
“We call on all countries to take rational, proportional, risk-reduction measures in keeping with international health regulations,” he said, before adding: “Ending the pandemic is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.”
Omicron variant reported in 23 countries - WHO
16:30 , Sam Hancock
The omicron variant has been found in at least 23 countries, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus.
Speaking at a WHO press briefing earlier, he said: “The emergence of the omicron variant has understandably captured global attention. At least 23 countries from five of six WHO regions have now reported cases of Omicron and we expect that number to grow.
“WHO takes this development extremely seriously, and so should every country.
“But it should not surprise us. This is what viruses do.
“And it’s what this virus will continue to do as long as we allow it to continue spreading.
“We’re learning more all the time about omicron, but there is still more to learn about its effect on transmission, severity of disease and the effectiveness of tests, therapeutics and vaccines.”
Watch: Singer Billie Eilish urges people to get Covid vaccine
16:28 , Sam Hancock
Portugal may increase restrictions over Christmas, says PM
16:00 , Rory Sullivan
The Portuguese government will introduce coronavirus restrictions over Christmas if they are needed, the country’s prime minister has said.
Antonio Costa told reporters on Wednesday: “We all wish that these measures are not necessary, but if they become necessary, we will take these measures.”
To tackle the virus’ latest surge, the government has mandated masks in indoor settings and has encouraged remote working.
Breaking: Nine new omicron cases detected in England
15:44 , Rory Sullivan
Nine more cases of the omicron Covid variant have been identified in England, bringing the total discovered in the UK to 32.
Here’s my colleague Sam Hancock with this breaking story:
Nine new omicron cases found across England
Heathrow Terminal 4 opens as facility for ‘red list’ passengers
15:27 , Rory Sullivan
Heathrow Terminal 4 has reopened to process arrivals from “red list” destinations.
The facility is being used to separate these passengers from those travelling from lower risk countries.
The red list was re-introduced last week, with 10 nations in southern Africa added to it due to omicron variant outbreaks.
Those arriving from “high risk” countries need to pay £2,285 to spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel.
South Korea detects first five omicron cases
15:12 , Rory Sullivan
South Korea has identified its first five cases of the omicron variant in passengers who arrived from Nigeria.
The announcement came on the same day that the country’s daily infections rose above 5,000 for the first time.
“The authorities could bring down the number of cases by re-introducing some of the social distancing measures” said Jung Jae-hun, a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University.
Sangmi Cha reports:
South Korea reports five omicron cases on flight from Nigeria
Nervtag advisers ‘can’t rule out’ omicron causing largest UK wave yet
14:57 , Rory Sullivan
The omicron variant could lead to the country’s largest coronavirus wave yet, a group of leading government advisers has warned.
Scientists in the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) spoke of this possibility during a meeting on Thursday.
“We cannot exclude that this wave would be of a magnitude similar, or even larger, than previous waves,” they said.
Government’s Nervtag advisers ‘can’t rule out’ Omicron causing biggest wave yet
Exclusive: Ministers risk ‘endangering’ civil servants unless home working becomes default, union warns
14:38 , Rory Sullivan
Ministers must make working from home the default option for civil servants amid the spread of the omicron variant, Whitehall’s biggest union has said.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) warned that to do otherwise was to risk a “dereliction of duty” that would “endanger” public servants.
Simon Murphy and Anna Isaac have this exclusive:
Ministers risk ‘endangering’ civil servants, Whitehall union warns
Europe now pandemic ‘epicentre’, says WHO official
14:20 , Rory Sullivan
Europe is currently the “epicentre” of the pandemic, a World Health Organisation (WHO) official has said.
The unnamed source’s comments to Reuters came on the day that cases of the omicron variant were discovered in Ireland.
Elsewhere in Europe, Germany announced its highest daily Covid-19 death toll since mid-February.
‘Just common sense’ to make Covid tests mandatory for UK-bound travellers, says Cooper
14:15 , Rory Sullivan
The new shadow secretary has reiterated Labour’s demands for mandatory pre-departure coronavirus tests for travellers coming to the UK.
Yvette Cooper, who returned to Labour’s frontbenches earlier this week, said the proposal “is just common sense right now”.
“If you have got omicron spreading across the world it is really important that action is taken to prevent new cases arriving in the UK,” she told the BBC.
Ms Cooper said the pandemic was “massively accelerated” by the arrival of 10,000 separate Covid-19 cases in March 2020.
“So, the task now is to stop many different new separate cases of Omicron arriving in the UK and that is why you have to be really vigilant,” she said.
Vietnam to suspend flights to and from southern Africa
14:00 , Rory Sullivan
Vietnam will cancel all flights to and from seven southern African countries which have reported outbreaks of the omicron variant.
It is not known when the move will come into effect.
The country’s health ministry announced 14,508 new daily Covid-19 infections on Wednesday.
Schools to remain open until Christmas holidays, says government
13:47 , Rory Sullivan
The government wants to keep schools open until they break up for Christmas, the children’s minister has said.
Will Quince told the Commons that it was “deeply regrettable” that some school plays and concerts had been cancelled over health concerns.
However, a teaching union has called on head teachers to put a stop to mass gatherings in schools in Northern Ireland before Christmas.
Justin McCamphill, of the NASUWT, added that a circuit-breaker closure of schools in the territory could help drive down infections.
France to demand negative Covid test result from non-EU travellers
13:33 , Rory Sullivan
France will require tourists travelling from outside the EU to show a negative Covid-19 test result before entering its territory.
Government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said the change would happen soon but did not give an exact date.
France to demand negative Covid test result from all non-EU visitors
Botswana: 16 out of 19 omicron cases asymptomatic, says health chief
13:23 , Rory Sullivan
Almost all of the omicron cases detected in Botswana have been asymptomatic, the country’s acting health minister has said.
Pamela Smith-Lawrence told Reuters that 16 out of the 19 people who tested positive for the variant displayed no symptoms, adding that the others only had “very mild” signs of the disease.
The health minister also said it was “unfair” to consider Botswana as omicron’s ground zero.
EU calls for ‘common approach’ on possibly making jab mandatory
13:10 , Lamiat Sabin
The European Union is saying that a “discussion” is needed on potentially making vaccines mandatory in the bloc.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said discussions need to be had on whether to make vaccines compulsory.
At a press conference, she said that a third of the 450 million EU population is still not jabbed.
We are now facing a double challenge in the fight against #COVID19.
The rapid resurgence of Delta across Europe and a new variant of concern: Omicron.
Full vaccination and boosters provide the strongest protection there is. And they are available now. https://t.co/FOuda4Jbvj— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 1, 2021
She said: “How we can encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union?
“This needs discussion. This needs a common approach.”
Travellers to France to need negative test regardless of jab status
13:00 , Lamiat Sabin
Travellers reaching France from outside the European Union will have to show a negative Covid test regardless of vaccination status.
French government spokesman Gabriel Attal announced the move today as part of measures aimed at tackling a new surge in infections amid international concern over the omicron variant.
Mr Attal said that decisions regarding intra-EU-travel would be coordinated by European leaders later this week.
More nations report omicron; Kremlin ‘ready to fight’ variant
12:50 , Lamiat Sabin
Omicron has popped up in some more countries after it was first detected in southern Africa last week.
Ireland has reported its first case today.
Norway has reported two cases, as has Nigeria.
South Korea has also reported its first cases, but the number of them has yet to be revealed.
Russia is “ready to fight” the variant – if and when it eventually emerges there, the Kremlin has said.
Illness in omicron cases so far ‘mild’ – WHO
12:40 , Lamiat Sabin
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is saying that there have so far been only “mild” symptoms reported in omicron cases.
The organisation said that it is working with experts across the world to further ascertain the transmissability and severity of omicron cases.
The WHO also said that there is no evidence yet to show that efficacy of vaccines is reduced when faced with the variant.
Schools will be open until Christmas holidays, says government
13:30 , Rory Sullivan
The government aims to keep schools open until the end of term, a minister has said.
Will Quince, the children’s minister, also told the Commons that it was “deeply regrettable” that some school nativities and Christmas concerts had been cancelled over health concerns.
However, a teaching union called on head teachers to ban large gatherings in the run-up to Christmas.
Justin McCamphill, the NASUWT’s national official for Northern Ireland, said a circuit-breaker could be useful in reducing the number of infections.
UK government called on to require more tests from arrivals
12:30 , Lamiat Sabin
Boris Johnson’s government is under pressure to tighten testing requirements for travel in response to the omicron variant.
Leaked papers from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) suggest that testing people for Covid before they travel to the UK would be “valuable”.
The documents, seen by the BBC, also said the government’s current policy of testing people within two days of arrival in the country would identify “significantly fewer cases” than having additional tests on days five or eight.
Labour has since called for pre-departure tests for everyone coming to the UK.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “It is totally unacceptable that ministers are failing to take action at the border when even their own advisers are telling them to introduce pre-departure tests.
“It cannot be right that people can travel to an airport, board a busy flight, queue at busy departure gates, and travel on trains and buses in the UK, all without having taken a test.
“The government must not repeat the mistakes it made earlier in the pandemic by being too slow to take action to prevent further cases of the Omicron variant entering the UK.”
Nigeria confirms first omicron cases
12:21 , Rory Sullivan
Nigeria has confirmed its first cases of the omicron coronavirus variant among three travellers who arrived in the country last week, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said.
The NCDC initially said on Wednesday that it had identified the variant among a sample collected from arrivals in October, weeks before South Africa raised the alarm.
In an amended statement later on Wednesday, it backtracked and said that sample contained the delta variant, not omicron.
Read more here:
Nigeria detects first cases of omicron coronavirus variant
Ghana records first omicron cases
11:57 , Rory Sullivan
The Omicron variant has reached Ghana, the country’s health ministry has confirmed.
The head of the Ghana Health Service said on Wednesday that the srain was detected among passengers at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport on 21 November.
Other countries including Norway also reported their first omicron cases on Wednesday.
Independent TV: Don’t change Christmas plans, government says
11:47 , Rory Sullivan
As mentioned earlier, Sajid Javid told the public not to alter their Christmas arrangements, despite concerns about the spread of the omicron variant.
See more here:
Sajid Javid says no need to change Christmas plans in response to omicron
WHO to launch negotiations on international pandemic accord
11:35 , Rory Sullivan
The World Health Organization (WHO) will launch negotiations on an international pandemic pact, which will cover topics such as vaccine distribution and data sharing.
It is thought that the agreement could be rolled out from May 2024.
“The adoption of this decision is cause for celebration and a cause for hope that we all need,” Tedros Adhanom, the WHO director-general, said on Wednesday.
“Of course there is still a long road ahead. There are still differences of opinion about what a new accord could or should contain,” he said, urging international unity.
Anti-vaxx Christian broadcaster dies of Covid
11:23 , Rory Sullivan
A vocal American anti-vaxxer has died at the age of 64 after testing positive for Covid-19.
Marcus Lamb was the founder of the conservative Christian channel Daystar Television Network.
Here’s Sravasti Dasgupta with more on this story:
Anti-vaxx Christian broadcaster Marcus Lamb dies of Covid aged 64
Norway identifies first omicron cases
11:10 , Rory Sullivan
Norway has recorded its first two cases of the omicron variant, authorities on the west coast have confirmed.
Tom Georg Indrevik, the mayor of Oeygarden, said on Wednesday that two people who had returned from South Africa had tested positive for the variant.
Like its neighbour Denmark, Norway requires anyone arriving from Southern Africa to quarantine.
Norway detects its first two omicron coronavirus cases
Omicron variant could unleash ‘very large wave of infections’, leaked Sage reports warns
11:00 , Rory Sullivan
A leaked report from a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has warned that the omicron variant could evade vaccines ‘to some extent” and could cause “a very large wave of infections”.
“Any significant reduction in protection against infection could still result in a very large wave of infections,” the group warned.
My colleague Adam Forrest has this full report:
Omicron could see ‘very large wave of infections’, leaked Sage report warns
PM issues ‘call to get jabs in arms’
10:48 , Rory Sullivan
Boris Johnson has urged Britons to book their booster jabs, as the UK steps up its immunisation programme to counter the omicron variant.
So far, Britain has recorded 22 cases of the new strain, which seems to be more transmissible than others.
“This isn’t a call to arms, but a call to get jabs in arms. And quickly,” the prime minister tweeted on Wednesday.
The previous day, Mr Johnson said the UK would return to vaccinating about 3.5 million people each week, similar to levels seen earlier this year.
GPs to have workload reduced to help with booster programme, says Javid
10:29 , Rory Sullivan
The NHS is working to temporarily reduce some GPs’ workloads to enable them to focus on the booster rollout, the health secretary Sajid Javid has said.
“I am confident that they will work out a way where some of the workload of GPs can be temporarily suspended or GPs can be helped in other ways so they can concentrate on vaccine delivery,” he said.
He added that those struggling to book their third jab should contact their MP.
More than 170,000 UK Covid deaths, says ONS
10:09 , Rory Sullivan
There have been more than 170,000 deaths in the UK from Covid-19, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.
The latest ONS data shows that 170,816 death certificates have mentioned coronavirus.
The highest daily death toll was 1,484 on 19 January this year.
‘Stringent’ response to omicron could be needed, warns Sage
09:53 , Rory Sullivan
Members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) have said “stringent response measures” could be needed to combat the omicron variant, as shown in meeting minutes leaked to the BBC.
The group met on Monday to discuss the issue. “The situation could develop quickly over the coming weeks and decision makers may need to act while there is a high level of uncertainty including the potential need for stringent response measures,” the advisers said.
PM contradicts medical adviser over omicron response
09:44 , Rory Sullivan
#icymi
Yesterday, Boris Johnson dismissed a call from Jenny Harries, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) boss, to tone down Christmas celebrations.
Andrew Woodcock, Sam Lovett and Jon Stone report on this tension:
Tensions over omicron advice as Boris Johnson contradicts medical adviser
New Covid mask rules could last less than three weeks, says Javid
09:34 , Rory Sullivan
Health secretary Sajid Javid has said the government’s new mandatory mask policy could be reviewed in as little as two weeks.
The restriction, which came into force on Tuesday in response to the emergence of the omicron variant, angered a small group of Tory MPs.
Asked about when a review would occur, Mr Javid told Sky News: “We are confident that actually maybe within two weeks we will know a lot more about this. We may not even need to wait three weeks.”
The health secretary emphasised that people should plan for a normal Christmas.
Here’s Jon Stone with more details:
New Covid mask rules could last less than three weeks, Sajid Javid says
Experts fear omicron will reduce effectiveness of key drugs
09:25 , Rory Sullivan
Scientists fear the omicron variant will reduce the efficacy of key drugs given to vulnerable Covid-19 patients.
Regeneron, which makes the antibody cocktail known as Ronapreve, the only one of its kind to be approved in the UK, has said the treatment could be affected by the variant’s mutations.
“There may be reduced neutralisation activity of both vaccine-induced and monoclonal antibody conveyed immunity,” the company said.
If further analysis confirms scientists’ worst fears, “then it will mean a vital tool for the protection of immunosuppressed people has been lost,” said Dr Stephen Griffin, a virologist at Leeds University.
Our science correspondent Samuel Lovett reports:
Experts fear Omicron will impact effectiveness of key drugs for vulnerable patients
Germany records highest daily Covid death toll since mid-February
09:12 , Rory Sullivan
Germany has recorded its highest daily coronavirus death toll since mid-February, amid warnings there could be 6,000 Covid-19 patients in intensive care by Christmas.
The 446 deaths announced on Wednesday bring the country’s total death toll during the pandemic to 101,790.
Federal and regional authorities vowed on Tuesday to step up vaccinations and restrictions in a bid to lower infections and hospitalisations.
Gernot Marx, president of the DIVI association for intensive care medicine, said, regardless of the action taken by policitians, 6,000 people could be in intensive care by 25 December.
“The situation is really becoming increasingly tight. We need to save the clinics from collapse,” he said, urging the government to consider imposing a lockdown.
Fiji welcomes first tourists in almost two years
08:58 , Rory Sullivan
Despite global fears about the omicron variant, Fiji has decided to push ahead with its plans to reopen its borders.
The Pacific nation, whose economy relies heavily on tourism, welcomed tourists for the first time in more than 600 days on Wednesday, with another 75,000 visitors expected to arrive over the the next few months.
Andre Viljoen, the boss of Fiji Airways, expressed his hope that tourism would kickstart the economy, which shrunk by 19 per cent last year.
“Welcome to this very momentous day,” he said. “We have been waiting for this day for the past 20 months.”
NHS trusts urge staff ‘not to mix in big groups’ before Christmas
08:48 , Rory Sullivan
Some NHS trusts have urged their staff “not to mix in big groups” before Christmas, according to the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers.
Saffron Cordery said these trusts had made the decision “because of the potential threat to their [staffs’] health and what they will be available to do”.
She mentioned that booster jabs, mask-wearing and hand-washing were all important factors in reducing transmission.
‘Very hard to judge’ best omicron response, says Sage member
08:36 , Rory Sullivan
It is “very hard to judge” the best response to the omicron variant given the uncertainties surrounding it, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has said.
Professor Andrew Hayward, of University College London, said: “I think it’s really very hard to judge these uncertainties and I think it does have to be a political decision.”
He added that he was concerned by social mixing in the run-up to Christmas.
“I’m not saying that those events should be stopped or banned, but I think, you know, people might think about spending more time outside, trying to keep more of a distance, etc, wearing masks at them, potentially taking tests before they go and potentially taking tests after they’ve been to one and before they go and visit their relatives at Christmas,” he said.
Government falling ‘well short’ of 500,000 daily booster jabs, says Labour
08:23 , Rory Sullivan
The government is “falling well short” of delivering half a million booster jabs a day, Labour has said.
Wes Streeting, who was appointed shadow health secretary earlier this week, said this was the number of daily shots that must be administered each day.
“In terms of this new push, we will get behind it, we will encourage people to volunteer, we will encourage people to take booster jabs,” he added.
Mr Streeting also said that ministers have to do everything in their power to ensure Christmas goes ahead.
No need to change Christmas plans, says health secretary
08:15 , Rory Sullivan
Health secretary Sajid Javid has said people should not change their Christmas plans amid fears of the omicron variant.
“I think people should continue to behave in the way they were planning to behave over Christmas. I don’t think there is any need to change those plans,” Mr Javid told Sky News.
He advised people to take Covid-19 tests before attending Christmas gatherings.
Avoid socialising where possible, says senior health official
08:09 , Rory Sullivan
#icymi
Dr Jenny Harries, who heads the UK’s Health Security Agency, urged people yesterday to avoid socialising where possible to reduce coronavirus transmission.
However, the government has chosen not to take this stance, with Boris Johnson saying that Christmas parties should go ahead as normal.
My colleague Thomas Kingsley has the details:
‘Don’t socialise if you don’t need to’, UK health chief urges amid omicron spread
‘Fingers crossed’ boosters will curb spread of omicron variant, says JCVI member
08:00 , Rory Sullivan
Doctors are keeping their “fingers crossed” that the booster programme will stem the spread of the omicron variant, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said.
Dr Maggie Wearmouth told LBC radio: “We don’t have the answer for absolutely everything and we would be accused of complacency if we didn’t warn people and we didn’t do this while we were waiting the few weeks while we had the scientific data.”
The GP added that she was keeping her Christmas plans open, after the government decided not to curb socialising in the build-up to the festive season.
‘Huge ask’ to give boosters to all adults by end of January, says Javid
07:44 , Rory Sullivan
It will be a “huge ask” to give all adults their coronavirus booster jab by the end of January, the health secretary has said.
Speaking on Wednesday, the day after the government pledged to scale up its booster campaign, Sajid Javid told Sky News: “It’s something I do believe that people who work in the NHS, all the volunteers, are up to it.
“But it is a huge ask and that is why I am calling it a national mission. This has become, from a health point of view, the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves, protect the progress that we have made.”
He added that “more should be known” about the omicron variant in the next two weeks.
Nigeria reports first cases of omicron in two travellers from South Africa
07:06 , Arpan Rai
Nigeria on Wednesday became the latest country to confirm the first cases of omicron variant of coronavirus in two travellers who were in South Africa last week, officials said.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said that these cases have been confirmed after their samples of confirmed Covid-19 collected in October showed retrospective sequencing.
The NCDC urged the authorities to stop the community transmission by implementing safety protocols.
It said: “Given the highly likely increased transmissibility of the omicron variant, it is imperative to put in place measures to curb community transmission”.
Malaysia to ban travellers from countries reporting cases of omicron variant
06:35 , Arpan Rai
Malaysia’s health ministry on Wednesday announced a ban on entry of travellers coming from countries that have reported the high risk omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The officials also strongly advised senior citizens and people with comorbidities to cancel overseas travel and avoid crowded public areas due to the rising concerns around the omicron variant.
A total of 20 countries have reported over 200 cases of omicron variant, US top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday.
Japan launches booster jabs day after omicron detected
06:22 , Arpan Rai
Japan will now offer coronavirus vaccine booster shots to health care workers as the heightened risk from the omicron variant looms large globally.
It comes within 24 hours of Japan detecting its first case of the omicron variant.
Several nurses and doctors received their jabs at the start of the booster vaccine drive at the Tokyo Medical Centre on Wednesday.
Hospital chief Kazuhiro Araki called it an important first step for the patients and their families to be “treated with a sense of safety”.
Most frontline workers received their initial double doses earlier this year.
Around 77 per cent of Japan’s population has been fully vaccinated against the virus, credited as a reason behind a slow down in the Asian country’s infection rate.
Brazil reports first Latin American cases of Omicron variant
05:19 , Arpan Rai
Two Brazilians have tested positive for the Covid-19 variant omicron, becoming the first such cases in Latin America, announced Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa on Tuesday.
A traveler arriving from South Africa in Sao Paulo, and his wife who had not travelled with him, have tested positive for the virus’s new variant, Anvisa said, fuelling concerns about omicron’s spread even before the nations resorted to travel bans.
While the person had tested negative for Covid-19 upon arrival at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport, on his return trip he and his wife tested positive for the virus.
Officials then sent the duo’s sample for further checking after which the variant was identified.
Sao Paulo officials said that the omicron variant was confirmed in a second test.
There’s a high chance that the two Brazilians were not vaccinated against the virus as they are missionaries, Sao Paulo health secretary Jean Gorinchteyn told CNN Brasil. The two do not have any documented evidence of getting vaccinated, Mr Gorinchetyn said.
Austria extends Covid-19 lockdown by 10 days
04:34 , Arpan Rai
Austria extended its coronavirus-induced countrywide lockdown by 10 days after the Austrian parliamentary committee gave its nod.
The country had moved to shut its borders last week on Monday after witnessing a surge in daily Covid-19 infections.
On Tuesday, the western European country recorded 8,186 cases of Covid-19, a notch down from the last record high of 9,586 in November last year. Just a week before, the Covid-19 cases in the country surged past 15,000 forcing the authorities to impose a lockdown. Since then, cases have gradually dipped to 9,000 and now below.
Nearly 67 per cent of the country’s population has been vaccinated against the virus as the authorities battle vaccine hesitancy which has been bolstered by the far-right Freedom Party in Austria.
Omicron to bring tough new US testing rules as Biden suggests quarantine for all
04:02
International travellers entering the United States will now face strict testing procedures as the new omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to spread across nations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was working to require all travellers to undergo testing within a day before boarding their flight to the US, as it continues to learn more about the new highly transmissible variant.
It said: “CDC is working to modify the current Global Testing Order for travel as we learn more about the Omicron variant; a revised order would shorten the timeline for required testing for all international air travelers to one day before departure to the United States.”
The rules will be applicable to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
This comes shortly after US President Joe Biden said that he will be sharing the US’s detailed strategy outlining how the country will fight Covid-19 this winter. “...Not with shutdowns or lockdowns but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more.”
