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Covid news live: Omicron likely to become dominant variant, UK and US experts say Covid news live: Omicron likely to become dominant variant, UK and US experts say
(33 minutes later)
Omicron variant is likely to ‘outcompete Delta’, Harvard researcher says; patchy monitoring thought to be behind underreporting of cases in the UKOmicron variant is likely to ‘outcompete Delta’, Harvard researcher says; patchy monitoring thought to be behind underreporting of cases in the UK
Here is an updated map illustrating the severity of Covid caseloads across Europe at the moment.
A quick snap from Reuters here that the unvaccinated will remain in lockdown when Austria’s general lockdown lifts on Sunday, new Chancellor Karl Nehammer confirmed this morning, the day after he took office.A quick snap from Reuters here that the unvaccinated will remain in lockdown when Austria’s general lockdown lifts on Sunday, new Chancellor Karl Nehammer confirmed this morning, the day after he took office.
It was no longer a question of whether the general lockdown would end on Sunday as planned but how, and consultations on that would take place on Wednesday, Nehammer told a news conference.It was no longer a question of whether the general lockdown would end on Sunday as planned but how, and consultations on that would take place on Wednesday, Nehammer told a news conference.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) weekly deaths bulletin for England and Wales has been released this morning, as it always is on a Tuesday. Here are the key findings:The Office for National Statistics (ONS) weekly deaths bulletin for England and Wales has been released this morning, as it always is on a Tuesday. Here are the key findings:
In the week ending 26 November 2021, 11,467 deaths were registered; this was 636 fewer deaths than the previous week and 10.5% above the five-year average (1,087 more deaths).In the week ending 26 November 2021, 11,467 deaths were registered; this was 636 fewer deaths than the previous week and 10.5% above the five-year average (1,087 more deaths).
Of the deaths registered, 817 mentioned “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, accounting for 7.1% of all deaths; this was a decrease in the number of deaths compared with the previous week (952 deaths, 7.9% of all deaths).Of the deaths registered, 817 mentioned “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, accounting for 7.1% of all deaths; this was a decrease in the number of deaths compared with the previous week (952 deaths, 7.9% of all deaths).
From the week ending 13 March 2020 to the week ending 26 November 2021, the number of excess deaths above the five-year average in England and Wales was 128,740.From the week ending 13 March 2020 to the week ending 26 November 2021, the number of excess deaths above the five-year average in England and Wales was 128,740.
Germany’s outgoing health minister said that travel curbs that limit arrivals to the European Union are important until more is known about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.Germany’s outgoing health minister said that travel curbs that limit arrivals to the European Union are important until more is known about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
“Until we know more, we need to be careful and so travel restrictions are important to keep the entry in Europe and Germany as low as possible,” Jens Spahn told reporters as he arrived for a meeting of EU health ministers in Brussels.“Until we know more, we need to be careful and so travel restrictions are important to keep the entry in Europe and Germany as low as possible,” Jens Spahn told reporters as he arrived for a meeting of EU health ministers in Brussels.
Reuters remind us that late in November, EU states agreed to impose travel restrictions on seven southern African countries after they reported several cases of the Omicron variant, which is considered highly infectious.Reuters remind us that late in November, EU states agreed to impose travel restrictions on seven southern African countries after they reported several cases of the Omicron variant, which is considered highly infectious.
EU sources said on Monday there was no immediate plan to ease the restrictions, quashing a media report that cited a diplomat saying this could be the case.EU sources said on Monday there was no immediate plan to ease the restrictions, quashing a media report that cited a diplomat saying this could be the case.
Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said: “We are facing a very challenging epidemiological situation in all members states with the Covid-19 pandemic, made especially challenging with the appearance of the Omicron variant.”Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said: “We are facing a very challenging epidemiological situation in all members states with the Covid-19 pandemic, made especially challenging with the appearance of the Omicron variant.”
She said she would urge ministers to step up vaccinations and, when necessary, to promote other non-pharmaceutical measures, such as requiring the wearing of masks and social distancing.She said she would urge ministers to step up vaccinations and, when necessary, to promote other non-pharmaceutical measures, such as requiring the wearing of masks and social distancing.
Andrew Sparrow has launched our UK politics blog for the day, and I imagine he will be fully taken up with the fall-out from the whistleblower about the UK government’s handling of the evacuation of Kabul.Andrew Sparrow has launched our UK politics blog for the day, and I imagine he will be fully taken up with the fall-out from the whistleblower about the UK government’s handling of the evacuation of Kabul.
I will continue to bring you UK and global Covid lines here.I will continue to bring you UK and global Covid lines here.
More than 40 countries have confirmed the presence of Omicron. In the UK, scientists have been increasingly expressing their concern about the new variant. Some have speculated there could be more than 1,000 cases in the country already, and that it could become the dominant variant within weeks.More than 40 countries have confirmed the presence of Omicron. In the UK, scientists have been increasingly expressing their concern about the new variant. Some have speculated there could be more than 1,000 cases in the country already, and that it could become the dominant variant within weeks.
In today’s Science Weekly podcast, to get an update on what we know about the Omicron variant, and how quickly it might be spreading, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Nicola Davis, the Guardian’s science correspondent.In today’s Science Weekly podcast, to get an update on what we know about the Omicron variant, and how quickly it might be spreading, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Nicola Davis, the Guardian’s science correspondent.
In Australia, senior health officials have rejected claims made by Queensland senator Gerard Rennick that Covid-19 vaccinations amount to “experimenting” on children after the Liberal senator questioned the safety of the vaccine for children aged five to 11 in a Senate inquiry.In Australia, senior health officials have rejected claims made by Queensland senator Gerard Rennick that Covid-19 vaccinations amount to “experimenting” on children after the Liberal senator questioned the safety of the vaccine for children aged five to 11 in a Senate inquiry.
It comes after Rennick posted anti-vaccine content on Facebook making similar claims.It comes after Rennick posted anti-vaccine content on Facebook making similar claims.
At a fiery hearing on Tuesday, the head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, John Skerritt, rejected suggestions it was “nothing much” for children to catch Covid-19 and warned that misinformation was hindering its work.At a fiery hearing on Tuesday, the head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, John Skerritt, rejected suggestions it was “nothing much” for children to catch Covid-19 and warned that misinformation was hindering its work.
The chair of the Senate Covid-19 committee, Labor’s Katy Gallagher, urged Rennick to “talk to a few parents whose children have struggled to breathe with Covid”, suggesting he “give [her] a call” – in reference to her daughter’s struggle with the illness.The chair of the Senate Covid-19 committee, Labor’s Katy Gallagher, urged Rennick to “talk to a few parents whose children have struggled to breathe with Covid”, suggesting he “give [her] a call” – in reference to her daughter’s struggle with the illness.
Read more of Paul Karp’s report here: Liberal senator Gerard Rennick’s vaccine claims condemned by health officials in Covid inquiryRead more of Paul Karp’s report here: Liberal senator Gerard Rennick’s vaccine claims condemned by health officials in Covid inquiry
Overnight, the Belfast Telegraph has broken a story that fake vaccine certificates for use in Northern Ireland are being sold in Ireland. Allison Morris reports:Overnight, the Belfast Telegraph has broken a story that fake vaccine certificates for use in Northern Ireland are being sold in Ireland. Allison Morris reports:
The reports are similar to claims last month that digital vaccine passes for Ireland were changing hands for €350.The reports are similar to claims last month that digital vaccine passes for Ireland were changing hands for €350.
By the way, as part of his media round this morning, Dominic Raab, the UK government justice minister, has again insisted that there will be no need for any further Covid restrictions in England.By the way, as part of his media round this morning, Dominic Raab, the UK government justice minister, has again insisted that there will be no need for any further Covid restrictions in England.
Reuters quote him telling the BBC: “We don’t think plan B is required. Why? Because of the success of the vaccine programme.”Reuters quote him telling the BBC: “We don’t think plan B is required. Why? Because of the success of the vaccine programme.”
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett writes for us today, arguing that the explosion of Covid PTSD cases is a mental health crisis in the making:Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett writes for us today, arguing that the explosion of Covid PTSD cases is a mental health crisis in the making:
The NHS forecasts that nationally, there will be 230,000 new cases of PTSD as a result of Covid-19. It is not only social care and medical staff who will be affected. Those who lost loved ones, and those who have been very ill or hospitalised (35% of Covid-19 patients who were put on a ventilator go on to experience extensive symptoms of PTSD) may also suffer.The NHS forecasts that nationally, there will be 230,000 new cases of PTSD as a result of Covid-19. It is not only social care and medical staff who will be affected. Those who lost loved ones, and those who have been very ill or hospitalised (35% of Covid-19 patients who were put on a ventilator go on to experience extensive symptoms of PTSD) may also suffer.
Then there are those living with the effects of domestic and sexual abuse, which may have worsened due to lockdown, and children and young people whose lives changed immeasurably due to our shift to a state of emergency. I imagine that some women whose birthing experiences were marked by the pandemic will also be experiencing symptoms.Then there are those living with the effects of domestic and sexual abuse, which may have worsened due to lockdown, and children and young people whose lives changed immeasurably due to our shift to a state of emergency. I imagine that some women whose birthing experiences were marked by the pandemic will also be experiencing symptoms.
Unfortunately, the current system is still not fully equipped to deal with this explosion in trauma cases. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says the NHS is already facing the biggest backlog in its history of those waiting for mental health help. As of September, 1.6 million people were waiting for treatment, and the college says that more funds than those committed to by the government are desperately needed.Unfortunately, the current system is still not fully equipped to deal with this explosion in trauma cases. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says the NHS is already facing the biggest backlog in its history of those waiting for mental health help. As of September, 1.6 million people were waiting for treatment, and the college says that more funds than those committed to by the government are desperately needed.
Read more here: Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett – The explosion of Covid PTSD cases is a mental health crisis in the makingRead more here: Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett – The explosion of Covid PTSD cases is a mental health crisis in the making
Prof Tim Spector, from the Covid Zoe app, said that in about 10 days’ time the UK could have more cases of Omicron than some countries it had put on the travel red list.Prof Tim Spector, from the Covid Zoe app, said that in about 10 days’ time the UK could have more cases of Omicron than some countries it had put on the travel red list.
The professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London told BBC Breakfast: “The official estimates are about 350-odd Omicron cases, and because the current testing is missing a lot of those, it’s probably at least 1,000 to 2,000 I would guess at the moment.The professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London told BBC Breakfast: “The official estimates are about 350-odd Omicron cases, and because the current testing is missing a lot of those, it’s probably at least 1,000 to 2,000 I would guess at the moment.
“And we are expecting this to be doubling about every two days at the moment, so if you do your maths – say, assumed it’s 1,000 at the moment, and you think it’s going to be doubling every two days, you can see that those numbers are going to be pretty (high) certainly in about 10 days’ time. By that time, we’ll probably have more cases than they will in some of those African countries.“And we are expecting this to be doubling about every two days at the moment, so if you do your maths – say, assumed it’s 1,000 at the moment, and you think it’s going to be doubling every two days, you can see that those numbers are going to be pretty (high) certainly in about 10 days’ time. By that time, we’ll probably have more cases than they will in some of those African countries.
“So I think these travel restrictions do perhaps have their place initially, when cases are really low here and really high in the other country, but when we reach that equilibrium, there’s very little point in having them in my opinion.”“So I think these travel restrictions do perhaps have their place initially, when cases are really low here and really high in the other country, but when we reach that equilibrium, there’s very little point in having them in my opinion.”
PA Media quotes him saying that data from the Zoe symptom study app suggests that about half of all cases at the moment of Delta are being “missed” because they are not presenting with “classic” Covid symptoms of fever, new and persistent cough and a loss or change of smell or taste.PA Media quotes him saying that data from the Zoe symptom study app suggests that about half of all cases at the moment of Delta are being “missed” because they are not presenting with “classic” Covid symptoms of fever, new and persistent cough and a loss or change of smell or taste.
“Omicron is probably more, much more similar to the mild variants we’re seeing in people who have been vaccinated with Delta than anything else,” he said.“Omicron is probably more, much more similar to the mild variants we’re seeing in people who have been vaccinated with Delta than anything else,” he said.
“And so it is going to be producing cold-like symptoms that people won’t recognise as Covid if they just believe the official government advice.”“And so it is going to be producing cold-like symptoms that people won’t recognise as Covid if they just believe the official government advice.”
Here’s a reminder of England’s current travel restriction red list.Here’s a reminder of England’s current travel restriction red list.
With the caveat that until scientists get more data, there is a lot of speculation around, but Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid-19 genomics initiative at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, has agreed this morning with those suggesting that Omicron would take over from Delta in the UK as the dominant variant of coronavirus “within a matter of weeks”.With the caveat that until scientists get more data, there is a lot of speculation around, but Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid-19 genomics initiative at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, has agreed this morning with those suggesting that Omicron would take over from Delta in the UK as the dominant variant of coronavirus “within a matter of weeks”.
PA Media quotes him telling the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “I think we can now say that this variant is spreading faster in the UK than the Delta variant at the same time, and that’s something that I think was unclear until very recently. I am pretty confident that it’s going to take over probably in a matter of weeks.”PA Media quotes him telling the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “I think we can now say that this variant is spreading faster in the UK than the Delta variant at the same time, and that’s something that I think was unclear until very recently. I am pretty confident that it’s going to take over probably in a matter of weeks.”
Asked about the implications of that, he said: “Well, we don’t know and that’s the really critical question, of course, is how many of those cases of which there will likely be a large number will lead to severe disease?Asked about the implications of that, he said: “Well, we don’t know and that’s the really critical question, of course, is how many of those cases of which there will likely be a large number will lead to severe disease?
“And a number of people including Dr Fauci have hypothesised that this variant may be more mild or less likely to cause severe disease than previous variants of the virus.“And a number of people including Dr Fauci have hypothesised that this variant may be more mild or less likely to cause severe disease than previous variants of the virus.
“I think what we have seen so far in South Africa, for example, is possibly consistent with that, but it’s really much too soon to say, and the reason for that is that this variant seems to be able to infect individuals who either have been vaccinated or previously have been infected.“I think what we have seen so far in South Africa, for example, is possibly consistent with that, but it’s really much too soon to say, and the reason for that is that this variant seems to be able to infect individuals who either have been vaccinated or previously have been infected.
“And we know that second infections or breakthrough infections of vaccinated individuals tend to be more mild. So the fact that so far we have seen not very many severe cases of Omicron, maybe because it is infecting these individuals with some amount of immunity and that’s good news that they aren’t having tonnes of severe disease, but I think it is too soon to assume that fundamentally Omicron is more mild than say Delta.”“And we know that second infections or breakthrough infections of vaccinated individuals tend to be more mild. So the fact that so far we have seen not very many severe cases of Omicron, maybe because it is infecting these individuals with some amount of immunity and that’s good news that they aren’t having tonnes of severe disease, but I think it is too soon to assume that fundamentally Omicron is more mild than say Delta.”
A quick one from Reuters here which sounds like good news. Britain’s GSK has released new data from early-stage studies, citing that its antibody-based Covid-19 therapy with US partner Vir is effective against all mutations of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.A quick one from Reuters here which sounds like good news. Britain’s GSK has released new data from early-stage studies, citing that its antibody-based Covid-19 therapy with US partner Vir is effective against all mutations of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.
The data, yet to be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, shows that the companies’ treatment, sotrovimab, is effective against all 37 identified mutations to date in the spike protein, GSK said in a statement.The data, yet to be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, shows that the companies’ treatment, sotrovimab, is effective against all 37 identified mutations to date in the spike protein, GSK said in a statement.