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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: fury after video about No 10 Christmas party emerges; early signs Omicron more transmissible
(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 Omicron variant can partially evade protection from the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, according to early data from South Africa.
Prof Alex Sigal, a professor at the Africa Health Research Institute, said there was “a very large drop” in neutralisation of the Omicron variant relative to an earlier strain.
The lab tested blood from 12 people who had been vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine but had not received a booster shot.
Researchers found there was about a fortyfold reduction in vaccine-induced antibodies that could neutralise the Omicron variant.
The preliminary data in the manuscript has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The UK Department for Education has admitted it held a social gathering of staff last December in contravention to Covid social distancing rules.
It comes after a report claimed that then education secretary Gavin Williamson threw a party where he delivered a short speech before officials and ministers knocked back glasses of wine.
Up to two dozen of Williamson’s staff gathered for “drinks and canapes” in the DfE cafe on 10 December, the Mirror reports. At the time, London was in tier 2, which banned any social mixing between households.
One source told the paper:
While another said:
In response, a DfE spokesperson said:
Just a week before the party, Williamson urged people to take the “responsible approach” of following social distancing and self-isolation rules.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is reviewing video footage of senior UK No 10 officials discussing a Christmas party.
A statement from the force said:
Preliminary and anecdotal evidence indicates that the Omicron variant likely has a higher degree of transmissibility but causes less severe illness, according to US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci.Preliminary and anecdotal evidence indicates that the Omicron variant likely has a higher degree of transmissibility but causes less severe illness, according to US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci.
Speaking during a White House coronavirus task force briefing today, he said:Speaking during a White House coronavirus task force briefing today, he said:
More data is expected next week, Fauci said, but it will take a few weeks to reach any definitive conclusions.More data is expected next week, Fauci said, but it will take a few weeks to reach any definitive conclusions.
The UK’s scientific and medical community have been responding to the leaked video showing senior Downing Street staff joking about holding a Christmas party just days after the event is alleged to have taken place last December.The UK’s scientific and medical community have been responding to the leaked video showing senior Downing Street staff joking about holding a Christmas party just days after the event is alleged to have taken place last December.
Trisha Greenhalgh, professor of primary care health sciences at the University of Oxford, slammed Boris Johnson’s then press secretary Allegra Stratton for laughing in the footage.Trisha Greenhalgh, professor of primary care health sciences at the University of Oxford, slammed Boris Johnson’s then press secretary Allegra Stratton for laughing in the footage.
Prof Christina Pagel, a member of the Independent Sage committee, said the video was “damning” and revealed the government’s hypocrisy while people were making enormous sacrifices.Prof Christina Pagel, a member of the Independent Sage committee, said the video was “damning” and revealed the government’s hypocrisy while people were making enormous sacrifices.
Loughborough University data analyst Dr Duncan Robertson said the leaked video could impact how the public heed public health measures and restrictions.Loughborough University data analyst Dr Duncan Robertson said the leaked video could impact how the public heed public health measures and restrictions.
The African Union has called for an urgent end to travel restrictions imposed on some of its member states.The African Union has called for an urgent end to travel restrictions imposed on some of its member states.
In a statement, the AU said the measures effectively penalise governments for timely data sharing in line with international health regulations, and could act “as a disincentive for information sharing in the future, potentially posing a threat to health security on the continent and globally”.In a statement, the AU said the measures effectively penalise governments for timely data sharing in line with international health regulations, and could act “as a disincentive for information sharing in the future, potentially posing a threat to health security on the continent and globally”.
Three Omicron cases have been confirmed in total, the Department of Health said. Two are from the same household in the greater Belfast area and a third unconnected case is in the South Eastern Trust area.Three Omicron cases have been confirmed in total, the Department of Health said. Two are from the same household in the greater Belfast area and a third unconnected case is in the South Eastern Trust area.
All three positive cases have a link to travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the department said, adding there is no current indication of wider community transmission present.All three positive cases have a link to travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the department said, adding there is no current indication of wider community transmission present.
The UK Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, called on Boris Johnson to “come clean and apologise” after TV footage emerged showing senior No 10 officials joking on camera about a Christmas party in lockdown last December.The UK Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, called on Boris Johnson to “come clean and apologise” after TV footage emerged showing senior No 10 officials joking on camera about a Christmas party in lockdown last December.
In the video obtained by ITV, an adviser to the PM is seen joking with Allegra Stratton, Johnson’s then press secretary, about “a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night”.In the video obtained by ITV, an adviser to the PM is seen joking with Allegra Stratton, Johnson’s then press secretary, about “a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night”.
The footage was shot on 22 December 2020, just four days after the date on which multiple sources have said there was a staff party inside Downing Street, which would have contravened strict Covid regulations in place at the time.The footage was shot on 22 December 2020, just four days after the date on which multiple sources have said there was a staff party inside Downing Street, which would have contravened strict Covid regulations in place at the time.
Johnson’s spokesperson and several ministers have insisted that any event complied with Covid rules, without saying why, before the spokesperson changed stance on Monday, saying no party had taken place.Johnson’s spokesperson and several ministers have insisted that any event complied with Covid rules, without saying why, before the spokesperson changed stance on Monday, saying no party had taken place.
On Tuesday, Johnson’s spokesperson had reiterated that this was Downing Street’s view, saying: “I don’t think there is anything to add to what I have said previously. Our position has not changed.”On Tuesday, Johnson’s spokesperson had reiterated that this was Downing Street’s view, saying: “I don’t think there is anything to add to what I have said previously. Our position has not changed.”
But the video – recorded as part of preparations for planned daily televised briefings hosted by Stratton, which were later abandoned – will raise fresh questions about No 10’s version of events and increase pressure for a formal inquiry.But the video – recorded as part of preparations for planned daily televised briefings hosted by Stratton, which were later abandoned – will raise fresh questions about No 10’s version of events and increase pressure for a formal inquiry.
Starmer said that during the lockdown last December people followed rules “even when that meant being separated from their families, locked down and – tragically for many – unable to say goodbye to their loved ones”, adding:Starmer said that during the lockdown last December people followed rules “even when that meant being separated from their families, locked down and – tragically for many – unable to say goodbye to their loved ones”, adding:
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, described the video as “damning”, adding:Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, described the video as “damning”, adding:
Read the full story by my colleague Peter Walker here:Read the full story by my colleague Peter Walker here:
Hello, it’s Léonie Chao-Fong here, taking over from Lucy Campbell.Hello, it’s Léonie Chao-Fong here, taking over from Lucy Campbell.
A global trial of a Covid-19 vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline and Canada’s Medicago has produced “positive efficacy and safety results”, the companies announced. If approved, it would become the world’s first plant-based coronavirus vaccine.A global trial of a Covid-19 vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline and Canada’s Medicago has produced “positive efficacy and safety results”, the companies announced. If approved, it would become the world’s first plant-based coronavirus vaccine.
The late-stage trial, which studied 24,000 adults across six countries, found that the overall efficacy rate of the vaccine candidate was 71%, rising to 75.3% against the Delta variant.The late-stage trial, which studied 24,000 adults across six countries, found that the overall efficacy rate of the vaccine candidate was 71%, rising to 75.3% against the Delta variant.
The Omicron variant was not circulating at the time of the trial but GSK said it is planning to test the vaccine against the new strain.The Omicron variant was not circulating at the time of the trial but GSK said it is planning to test the vaccine against the new strain.
GSK and Medicago have sought approval from the UK’s MHRA watchdog, the US Food and Drug Administration, Canadian regulator Health Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO).GSK and Medicago have sought approval from the UK’s MHRA watchdog, the US Food and Drug Administration, Canadian regulator Health Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Before I hand over to my colleague shortly, here is a quick recap of some of the main developments from today:Before I hand over to my colleague shortly, here is a quick recap of some of the main developments from today:
Norway introduced stricter rules 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 said. “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.Norway introduced stricter rules 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 said. “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.
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. 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. Story here.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. 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. Story here.
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. “We need to work together to that the situation doesn’t get worse, so today we are presenting further precautionary measures,” the prime minister, Magdalena Andersson said. The measures will take effect from Wednesday.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. “We need to work together to that the situation doesn’t get worse, so today we are presenting further precautionary measures,” the prime minister, Magdalena Andersson said. The measures will take effect from Wednesday.
Nicola Sturgeon urged Scottish firms 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.Nicola Sturgeon urged Scottish firms 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.
The UK has reported a further 101 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, taking the total number of cases across the country to 437. Of the new cases, 72 were confirmed in England, 28 in Scotland, and one in Wales. There have been no new cases reported in Northern Ireland.The UK has reported a further 101 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, taking the total number of cases across the country to 437. Of the new cases, 72 were confirmed in England, 28 in Scotland, and one in Wales. There have been no new cases reported in Northern Ireland.
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, said early indications suggest the Omicron variant is more transmissible than Delta. 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: “The prime minister said it was too early to draw conclusions on the characteristics of Omicron but early indications were that it is more transmissible than Delta.” 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.The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, said early indications suggest the Omicron variant is more transmissible than Delta. 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: “The prime minister said it was too early to draw conclusions on the characteristics of Omicron but early indications were that it is more transmissible than Delta.” 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.
The spread of Omicron in Wales is expected to reach its peak by the end of next month, the health minister, Eluned Morgan, said. She said: “We are expecting a significant wave of Omicron to hit Wales. The modelling suggests it will reach its peak by around the end of January, which is why there is an urgency in terms of getting people vaccinated and boosters done as soon as possible.”The spread of Omicron in Wales is expected to reach its peak by the end of next month, the health minister, Eluned Morgan, said. She said: “We are expecting a significant wave of Omicron to hit Wales. The modelling suggests it will reach its peak by around the end of January, which is why there is an urgency in terms of getting people vaccinated and boosters done as soon as possible.”
Poland will introduce compulsory Covid vaccinations for doctors, teachers and security service personnel from 1 March, the health minister said, as he announced a raft of new measures to curb the spread of the virus. Niedzielski said the limit on the number of people allowed in public spaces such as restaurants and cinemas would be lowered to 30%, not including vaccinated people, from the current 50%. Businesses will also be required to check customers’ Covid certificates. Nightclubs will be closed from 15 December and on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, only 100 people will be allowed to enter, not counting those who have been vaccinated. Additionally, travellers from outside the European Union’s Schengen passport-free zone will need to show a negative test result from 15 December and schools will return to distance learning for periods just before and after the Christmas holiday. Niedzielski said that the government was also working on a draft law that would allow employers to check workers’ Covid test results.Poland will introduce compulsory Covid vaccinations for doctors, teachers and security service personnel from 1 March, the health minister said, as he announced a raft of new measures to curb the spread of the virus. Niedzielski said the limit on the number of people allowed in public spaces such as restaurants and cinemas would be lowered to 30%, not including vaccinated people, from the current 50%. Businesses will also be required to check customers’ Covid certificates. Nightclubs will be closed from 15 December and on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, only 100 people will be allowed to enter, not counting those who have been vaccinated. Additionally, travellers from outside the European Union’s Schengen passport-free zone will need to show a negative test result from 15 December and schools will return to distance learning for periods just before and after the Christmas holiday. Niedzielski said that the government was also working on a draft law that would allow employers to check workers’ Covid test results.
EU health agencies have recommended that Covid vaccines be mixed and matched for both initial courses and booster doses as the region battles rising cases ahead of Christmas. Evidence suggests that the combination of viral vector vaccines and mRNA vaccines produces good levels of antibodies against the coronavirus, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in a joint statement. Such an approach “may offer flexibility in terms of vaccination options, particularly to reduce the impact on the vaccine rollout should a vaccine not be available for any reason”, the EMA and ECDC said, while urging people to get fully vaccinated. However, the EMA and ECDC said more research was needed to support the use of mixing and matching in people with weak immune systems, such as older people and those with chronic conditions like cancer, and for two-dose mRNA vaccine regimens.EU health agencies have recommended that Covid vaccines be mixed and matched for both initial courses and booster doses as the region battles rising cases ahead of Christmas. Evidence suggests that the combination of viral vector vaccines and mRNA vaccines produces good levels of antibodies against the coronavirus, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in a joint statement. Such an approach “may offer flexibility in terms of vaccination options, particularly to reduce the impact on the vaccine rollout should a vaccine not be available for any reason”, the EMA and ECDC said, while urging people to get fully vaccinated. However, the EMA and ECDC said more research was needed to support the use of mixing and matching in people with weak immune systems, such as older people and those with chronic conditions like cancer, and for two-dose mRNA vaccine regimens.
Spain’s health commission approved vaccinations against Covid for children aged five to 11, following a recommendation by the European Union’s health regulator late last month. Spanish authorities expect to start vaccinating children on 13 December as the first doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine are expected arrive, the health minister, Carolina Darias, said.Spain’s health commission approved vaccinations against Covid for children aged five to 11, following a recommendation by the European Union’s health regulator late last month. Spanish authorities expect to start vaccinating children on 13 December as the first doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine are expected arrive, the health minister, Carolina Darias, said.
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 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.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.“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.“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.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.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.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.
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.
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.
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.
“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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
“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.
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 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.
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”.
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.].
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.