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
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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
Lawyers for the woman who has accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault have rejected claims her lawsuit against the royal cannot go ahead because she is not a US resident. The Duke of York’s lawyers this week called for the civil case at a Manhattan court to be halted or thrown out because his accuser,
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
The UK has reported a record 183,037 new COVID cases in the latest daily figures. The number includes five days of infection data from Northern Ireland – 22,972 cases – due to a lag in reporting over Christmas. Of the 183,037 total figure, 138,287 cases were in England (yesterday it was 117,093), 15,849 were in
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
England has reported another record number of daily coronavirus cases, with 117,093 new infections. It breaks the previous record of 113,628, which was set on Christmas Day. Another 15 deaths have also been reported in England, according to the government’s dashboard. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:21 ‘Restaurants have been
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
New Year’s Eve plans in England have been given the green light, as Sajid Javid confirmed the government will not be imposing any further restrictions before the New Year. The health secretary said people should “remain cautious” when taking part in New Year’s celebrations – and take a lateral flow test before attending events. Mr
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
A man armed with a crossbow who was arrested after breaking into the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day has been detained under the Mental Health Act, police have said. The 19-year-old from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon at about
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
An armed man has been arrested after breaking into the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day, police have said. Officers from Thames Valley and the Metropolitan Police were called to a security breach at around 8.30am in the grounds of Windsor Castle. A 19-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested and is in custody.
The Queen is again breaking with tradition due to COVID and will spend Christmas Day at Windsor. Her Majesty made the decision not to travel to Sandringham in Norfolk earlier this week and will instead be joined by family members at Windsor Castle. It’s the second year that she has stayed at Windsor. Last year
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
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
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