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Covid live: early signs Omicron more transmissible, UK PM says; Scottish firms urged to let staff work from home Covid live: early signs Omicron more transmissible, UK PM says; Scottish firms urged to let staff work from home
(33 minutes later)
Early indications Omicron more transmissible than Delta, says Boris Johnson; Nicola Sturgeon says staff should work from home until mid-JanuaryEarly indications Omicron more transmissible than Delta, says Boris Johnson; Nicola Sturgeon says staff should work from home until mid-January
The Norwegian government introduced stricter rules on Tuesday to limit the spread of Covid, including a cap on the number of visitors in private homes and shortening the hours bars and restaurants can serve alcohol.
The country has seen a surge of Covid infections in recent weeks, followed by a rise in the number of hospitalisations.
“We really wished we were done with the pandemic. But the situation is now so serious that we must put in place new measures to keep control,” the prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, told a news conference.
“Therefore it will be a different Christmas holiday this year as well,” he said.
No more than 10 visitors will be allowed in private homes, and people must keep a distance of at least one metre from anyone who is not a member of their household. The serving of alcohol must stop at midnight every day, he added.
Companies hit by the restrictions will receive compensations from the government, the finance minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, said.
The government last week reimposed some restrictions on travellers, requiring that anyone arriving in the country must test for the coronavirus and that people wear face masks in most crowded places, but infections have still continued to rise.
France has registered a surge in Covid hospitalisations as a rise in new infections in mid-November translates into patient numbers.France has registered a surge in Covid hospitalisations as a rise in new infections in mid-November translates into patient numbers.
The health ministry reported that the number of patients with coronavirus in hospitals rose by 618 to 12,714, the second-highest net one-day increase this year behind the net increase of 732 on 6 April when the patient tally was above 30,600.The health ministry reported that the number of patients with coronavirus in hospitals rose by 618 to 12,714, the second-highest net one-day increase this year behind the net increase of 732 on 6 April when the patient tally was above 30,600.
Due to one of Europe’s highest vaccination rates, a rise in new cases now has less impact on hospital numbers than in the spring.Due to one of Europe’s highest vaccination rates, a rise in new cases now has less impact on hospital numbers than in the spring.
France also reported that the number of patients in intensive care units with Covid rose by 160 to 2,351, the second-highest increase this year. On 6 April, ICU numbers rose by 193 to 5,626.France also reported that the number of patients in intensive care units with Covid rose by 160 to 2,351, the second-highest increase this year. On 6 April, ICU numbers rose by 193 to 5,626.
On Monday, France reported a seven-day moving average of nearly 43,000 new infections per day, a new high for the year, but the rate of increase has been slowing for over two weeks.On Monday, France reported a seven-day moving average of nearly 43,000 new infections per day, a new high for the year, but the rate of increase has been slowing for over two weeks.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said she supports an intellectual property waiver on Covid-19 vaccines, so that low and middle income countries can manufacture their own jabs.Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said she supports an intellectual property waiver on Covid-19 vaccines, so that low and middle income countries can manufacture their own jabs.
Responding to a question from Joe FitzPatrick MSP, asking if she supports a waiver of intellectual property rules to ensure equitable access to Covid vaccines, Sturgeon said:Responding to a question from Joe FitzPatrick MSP, asking if she supports a waiver of intellectual property rules to ensure equitable access to Covid vaccines, Sturgeon said:
She added that she would write to the prime minister to encourage him to take action on the issue and to offer the full cooperation of the Scottish government.She added that she would write to the prime minister to encourage him to take action on the issue and to offer the full cooperation of the Scottish government.
The first minister’s comments were welcomed by Liz Murray, head of campaigns at Global Justice Now Scotland. Murray said:The first minister’s comments were welcomed by Liz Murray, head of campaigns at Global Justice Now Scotland. Murray said:
A businessman who has a severe nut allergy has accused the UK government of endangering his life after he was served nuts and traces of nuts during hotel quarantine after returning from a work trip to South Africa.A businessman who has a severe nut allergy has accused the UK government of endangering his life after he was served nuts and traces of nuts during hotel quarantine after returning from a work trip to South Africa.
Richard Lace, 40, went into anaphylactic shock and had to call for an ambulance after eating two mouthfuls of a rice dish at a hotel at Heathrow on 3 December.Richard Lace, 40, went into anaphylactic shock and had to call for an ambulance after eating two mouthfuls of a rice dish at a hotel at Heathrow on 3 December.
The Department of Health and Social Care has now released him from quarantine on medical grounds – something Lace had requested to no avail four days previously – after it was contacted by the Guardian.The Department of Health and Social Care has now released him from quarantine on medical grounds – something Lace had requested to no avail four days previously – after it was contacted by the Guardian.
“It really is ridiculous. They had the information from day one. They had two opportunities to get it right and not kill me and I can’t trust that they won’t kill me on the third occasion,” he said.“It really is ridiculous. They had the information from day one. They had two opportunities to get it right and not kill me and I can’t trust that they won’t kill me on the third occasion,” he said.
Read the full story here: Quarantined man goes into allergic shock after Heathrow hotel serves nutsRead the full story here: Quarantined man goes into allergic shock after Heathrow hotel serves nuts
Finland’s prime minister came under sustained criticism on Tuesday after it was revealed she stayed out dancing until the early hours on the weekend despite knowing she had been exposed to Covid-19, AFP reports.Finland’s prime minister came under sustained criticism on Tuesday after it was revealed she stayed out dancing until the early hours on the weekend despite knowing she had been exposed to Covid-19, AFP reports.
Sanna Marin, 36, apologised on Monday after the gossip magazine Seiska published photos of her dancing in a Helsinki nightclub with friends on Saturday night until almost 4am, hours after her foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto, tested positive for coronavirus.Sanna Marin, 36, apologised on Monday after the gossip magazine Seiska published photos of her dancing in a Helsinki nightclub with friends on Saturday night until almost 4am, hours after her foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto, tested positive for coronavirus.
“My husband and I... had been out to eat, been shopping in town, seen friends and also spent time [enjoying] the evening and nightlife,” the Social Democrat leader wrote on Facebook.“My husband and I... had been out to eat, been shopping in town, seen friends and also spent time [enjoying] the evening and nightlife,” the Social Democrat leader wrote on Facebook.
She added that she was told by an official that the coronavirus guidelines did not require her to isolate, despite having been in contact with an infected person.She added that she was told by an official that the coronavirus guidelines did not require her to isolate, despite having been in contact with an infected person.
“I should have used better judgement and double-checked the guidance given to me. I am very sorry for not understanding that I needed to do that,” Marin wrote.“I should have used better judgement and double-checked the guidance given to me. I am very sorry for not understanding that I needed to do that,” Marin wrote.
A poll commissioned by TV channel MTV3 found that two-thirds of respondents thought Marin’s night out was a “serious mistake”.A poll commissioned by TV channel MTV3 found that two-thirds of respondents thought Marin’s night out was a “serious mistake”.
Opposition parties also slammed Marin for potentially breaking official Covid guidelines and for missing a later text message warning her to isolate.Opposition parties also slammed Marin for potentially breaking official Covid guidelines and for missing a later text message warning her to isolate.
The finance minister, Annika Saarikko, from the Centre Party, the ruling coalition partner, stopped short of criticising Marin directly.The finance minister, Annika Saarikko, from the Centre Party, the ruling coalition partner, stopped short of criticising Marin directly.
However Saarikko told the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper that she was “glad I was at home” when she received the text message to isolate, adding that she had cancelled her plans for the next day.However Saarikko told the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper that she was “glad I was at home” when she received the text message to isolate, adding that she had cancelled her plans for the next day.
Finland has sustained some of Europe’s lowest incidences of the virus throughout the pandemic, recording more than 196,000 cases and 1,384 deaths in the country of 5.5 million.Finland has sustained some of Europe’s lowest incidences of the virus throughout the pandemic, recording more than 196,000 cases and 1,384 deaths in the country of 5.5 million.
However infections are now at an all-time high, with 308 new cases per 100,000 population in the last fortnight. The country has also recorded eight cases of the Omicron variant.However infections are now at an all-time high, with 308 new cases per 100,000 population in the last fortnight. The country has also recorded eight cases of the Omicron variant.
Scientists have identified a “stealth” version of the Omicron variant which cannot be detected with the routine tests that public health officials are using to track its spread around the world, my colleagues Ian Sample and Peter Walker report.Scientists have identified a “stealth” version of the Omicron variant which cannot be detected with the routine tests that public health officials are using to track its spread around the world, my colleagues Ian Sample and Peter Walker report.
The stealth variant has many mutations in common with standard Omicron, but it lacks a particular genetic change that allows lab-based PCR tests to be used as a rough and ready means of flagging up probable cases.The stealth variant has many mutations in common with standard Omicron, but it lacks a particular genetic change that allows lab-based PCR tests to be used as a rough and ready means of flagging up probable cases.
Researchers say it is too early to know whether the new form of Omicron will spread in the same way as the standard Omicron variant, but that the “stealthy” version is genetically distinct and so may well behave differently.Researchers say it is too early to know whether the new form of Omicron will spread in the same way as the standard Omicron variant, but that the “stealthy” version is genetically distinct and so may well behave differently.
The stealth variant was first spotted among Covid virus genomes submitted in recent days from South Africa, Australia and Canada, but the difficulty in detecting the variant means it may already have spread more widely. Among the few dozen cases identified so far, none are in the UK.The stealth variant was first spotted among Covid virus genomes submitted in recent days from South Africa, Australia and Canada, but the difficulty in detecting the variant means it may already have spread more widely. Among the few dozen cases identified so far, none are in the UK.
Read the full story here: Scientists find ‘stealth’ version of Omicron not identifiable with PCR testRead the full story here: Scientists find ‘stealth’ version of Omicron not identifiable with PCR test
Britain’s lockdown drinking habits may have had fatal consequences. Deaths caused by alcohol in 2020 increased by almost 19%, marking the biggest rise since records began, according to the Office for National Statistics.Britain’s lockdown drinking habits may have had fatal consequences. Deaths caused by alcohol in 2020 increased by almost 19%, marking the biggest rise since records began, according to the Office for National Statistics.
There were 8,974 deaths from alcohol specific causes registered in the 12 month period, up from 7,565 deaths in 2019 – the highest year-on-year increase since the data series began in 2001. It bucks a trend in which fatalities from alcohol remained stable for the previous seven years.There were 8,974 deaths from alcohol specific causes registered in the 12 month period, up from 7,565 deaths in 2019 – the highest year-on-year increase since the data series began in 2001. It bucks a trend in which fatalities from alcohol remained stable for the previous seven years.
In England, the number of people drinking more than 14 units a week increased after the first national lockdown, according to surveys by Public Health England (PHE), and has remained at similar levels since. As pubs shut, drinking at home soared, with off-licence sales of beer rising 31% and spirits 26% compared with 2019.In England, the number of people drinking more than 14 units a week increased after the first national lockdown, according to surveys by Public Health England (PHE), and has remained at similar levels since. As pubs shut, drinking at home soared, with off-licence sales of beer rising 31% and spirits 26% compared with 2019.
Dr James Tucker, the head of the government’s data quality hub, said:Dr James Tucker, the head of the government’s data quality hub, said:
Close to eight out of 10 of the deaths were from alcoholic liver disease and although alcohol-related cirrhosis can take a decade or more to develop, most deaths occur as a result of acute-on-chronic liver failure owing to recent alcohol intake, a PHE study in July found.Close to eight out of 10 of the deaths were from alcoholic liver disease and although alcohol-related cirrhosis can take a decade or more to develop, most deaths occur as a result of acute-on-chronic liver failure owing to recent alcohol intake, a PHE study in July found.
Scotland and Northern Ireland continued to have the highest rates of alcohol deaths, but the fastest rises were in Wales and England. The sharpest rise in deaths in England was in the West Midlands, followed by the south-west and London. Nearly twice as many men died as women, which is consistent with previous years.Scotland and Northern Ireland continued to have the highest rates of alcohol deaths, but the fastest rises were in Wales and England. The sharpest rise in deaths in England was in the West Midlands, followed by the south-west and London. Nearly twice as many men died as women, which is consistent with previous years.
Read the full story here: Britain’s drinking deaths rose at record rate in pandemicRead the full story here: Britain’s drinking deaths rose at record rate in pandemic
Omicron has spread across Denmark, health authorities said on Tuesday after registering large outbreaks of the variant in the east and west of the country.Omicron has spread across Denmark, health authorities said on Tuesday after registering large outbreaks of the variant in the east and west of the country.
“We now have society-wide infection with the Omicron variant,” director of the Danish Patient Safety Authority, Anette Lykke Petri, told reporters.“We now have society-wide infection with the Omicron variant,” director of the Danish Patient Safety Authority, Anette Lykke Petri, told reporters.
Denmark has so far registered a total of 398 Omicron cases.Denmark has so far registered a total of 398 Omicron cases.
Sweden will roll out a raft of measures to curb rising Covid infections, urging renewed social distancing, home-working and the use of face masks on public transport, the government said on Tuesday.Sweden will roll out a raft of measures to curb rising Covid infections, urging renewed social distancing, home-working and the use of face masks on public transport, the government said on Tuesday.
“We see an increased spread of infection, but still from low levels,” the prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, told a news conference. The measures will take effect from Wednesday.“We see an increased spread of infection, but still from low levels,” the prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, told a news conference. The measures will take effect from Wednesday.
“We need to work together to that the situation doesn’t get worse, so today we are presenting further precautionary measures,” Andersson said.“We need to work together to that the situation doesn’t get worse, so today we are presenting further precautionary measures,” Andersson said.
Cases in Sweden have started to rise in recent weeks after a relatively calm autumn.Cases in Sweden have started to rise in recent weeks after a relatively calm autumn.
Hospitalisations and the number of patients requiring intensive care are still among the lowest per capita in Europe but have also started to creep up.Hospitalisations and the number of patients requiring intensive care are still among the lowest per capita in Europe but have also started to creep up.
There will be no changes this week to Covid restrictions in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said, while telling the Scottish public “it is time for all of us to go back to basics”.There will be no changes this week to Covid restrictions in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said, while telling the Scottish public “it is time for all of us to go back to basics”.
She urged employers to ensure that all staff who can are working from home until the middle of January, telling people to do a lateral flow test “on every occasion” they intend to mix with others over the festive season, whether at work, socialising or going shopping.She urged employers to ensure that all staff who can are working from home until the middle of January, telling people to do a lateral flow test “on every occasion” they intend to mix with others over the festive season, whether at work, socialising or going shopping.
At her regular Covid briefing to MSPs, Sturgeon confirmed 99 cases of the Omicron variant in Scotland, an increase of 28 since yesterday [see 2.47pm.].At her regular Covid briefing to MSPs, Sturgeon confirmed 99 cases of the Omicron variant in Scotland, an increase of 28 since yesterday [see 2.47pm.].
She said health officials estimate the “R” number associated with the new variant may be well over 2, and that there are confirmed cases in nine of Scotland’s 14 health board areas, “suggesting that community transmission is becoming more widespread, and possibly more sustained, across the country”.She said health officials estimate the “R” number associated with the new variant may be well over 2, and that there are confirmed cases in nine of Scotland’s 14 health board areas, “suggesting that community transmission is becoming more widespread, and possibly more sustained, across the country”.
Underlining the significance of this speed of increase, Sturgeon warned:Underlining the significance of this speed of increase, Sturgeon warned:
The UK has reported a further 101 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, the UK Health Security Agency said on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases across the country to 437.The UK has reported a further 101 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, the UK Health Security Agency said on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases across the country to 437.
Of the 101 new cases, 72 were confirmed in England, 28 in Scotland, and one in Wales. There have been no new cases reported in Northern Ireland.Of the 101 new cases, 72 were confirmed in England, 28 in Scotland, and one in Wales. There have been no new cases reported in Northern Ireland.
Earlier, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, said early indications suggest the variant is more transmissible than Delta [see 12.23pm.].Earlier, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, said early indications suggest the variant is more transmissible than Delta [see 12.23pm.].
Johnson made the comment as he updated his team of ministers on the latest Covid situation at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.Johnson made the comment as he updated his team of ministers on the latest Covid situation at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
Giving an account of the meeting, the prime minister’s official spokesman said:Giving an account of the meeting, the prime minister’s official spokesman said:
But the spokesman said there was no debate around the cabinet table on whether to introduce “plan B” of the government’s plans to control the virus this winter.But the spokesman said there was no debate around the cabinet table on whether to introduce “plan B” of the government’s plans to control the virus this winter.
Confirming that a total of 99 Omicron cases have so far been found in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs on Tuesday that the R number of the new variant could be above two.Confirming that a total of 99 Omicron cases have so far been found in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs on Tuesday that the R number of the new variant could be above two.