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| Covid: Government gatherings probed and Scotland urged to cancel Christmas parties | Covid: Government gatherings probed and Scotland urged to cancel Christmas parties |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Thursday evening. We'll have another update for you tomorrow morning. | Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Thursday evening. We'll have another update for you tomorrow morning. |
| 1. Government staff parties to be investigated | 1. Government staff parties to be investigated |
| An official investigation into government staff parties is to focus on three events that took place last year. Downing Street parties on 27 November and 18 December, and at the education department on 10 December will be examined for Covid rule breaches. Paymaster General Michael Ellis said any potential criminality uncovered would be reported to the police. | An official investigation into government staff parties is to focus on three events that took place last year. Downing Street parties on 27 November and 18 December, and at the education department on 10 December will be examined for Covid rule breaches. Paymaster General Michael Ellis said any potential criminality uncovered would be reported to the police. |
| This video can not be played | This video can not be played |
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| Ros Atkins on... the No 10 Christmas party fallout | Ros Atkins on... the No 10 Christmas party fallout |
| Ros Atkins on... the No 10 Christmas party fallout | Ros Atkins on... the No 10 Christmas party fallout |
| 2. People in Scotland urged to cancel Christmas parties | 2. People in Scotland urged to cancel Christmas parties |
| The rising number of Omicron cases has led to people in Scotland being told to call off their Christmas parties. Public Health Scotland said parties that had already taken place were being linked to a number of coronavirus outbreaks caused by the variant. Postponing plans would help people protect themselves, said Dr Nick Phin, its director of public health science. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she expects Omicron cases to rise rapidly in Scotland. There's early evidence suggesting Omicron is more transmissible than previous strains of the virus, Public Health Scotland added. | The rising number of Omicron cases has led to people in Scotland being told to call off their Christmas parties. Public Health Scotland said parties that had already taken place were being linked to a number of coronavirus outbreaks caused by the variant. Postponing plans would help people protect themselves, said Dr Nick Phin, its director of public health science. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she expects Omicron cases to rise rapidly in Scotland. There's early evidence suggesting Omicron is more transmissible than previous strains of the virus, Public Health Scotland added. |
| 3. WHO concern over vaccine hoarding | 3. WHO concern over vaccine hoarding |
| The World Health Organization has expressed concern that wealthy countries will start to hoard Covid vaccines in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant. It said this could threaten supplies to nations where most people are still unvaccinated. Some rich countries are accelerating the roll-out of a booster shot in response to Omicron. | The World Health Organization has expressed concern that wealthy countries will start to hoard Covid vaccines in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant. It said this could threaten supplies to nations where most people are still unvaccinated. Some rich countries are accelerating the roll-out of a booster shot in response to Omicron. |
| 4. 'Pubs may run out of cash' | 4. 'Pubs may run out of cash' |
| Hospitality firms in England have warned they face a collapse in demand at their busiest time of year due to the government's new work-from-home guidance from Monday. One trade body called them a "body blow" to already-struggling pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues. Pub chain boss Clive Watson said some pubs could "run out of cash" without extra help from the government. | Hospitality firms in England have warned they face a collapse in demand at their busiest time of year due to the government's new work-from-home guidance from Monday. One trade body called them a "body blow" to already-struggling pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues. Pub chain boss Clive Watson said some pubs could "run out of cash" without extra help from the government. |
| 5. How is the NHS coping? | 5. How is the NHS coping? |
| With pressure on hospitals growing, the BBC has launched an NHS Tracker to allow people to find out how their local services are coping. It will run throughout winter showing the latest data on waiting times for emergency treatment where people live across England, Wales and Scotland. Delays in many areas are the worst on record, with NHS leaders saying patients are being put at risk. | With pressure on hospitals growing, the BBC has launched an NHS Tracker to allow people to find out how their local services are coping. It will run throughout winter showing the latest data on waiting times for emergency treatment where people live across England, Wales and Scotland. Delays in many areas are the worst on record, with NHS leaders saying patients are being put at risk. |
| Get a longer daily news briefing from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning, by signing up here. | Get a longer daily news briefing from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning, by signing up here. |
| And there's more... | And there's more... |
| What is the new working from home guidance across the UK under the new rules in response to the emergence of Omicron? Find out here. | What is the new working from home guidance across the UK under the new rules in response to the emergence of Omicron? Find out here. |
| You can find more information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page. | You can find more information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page. |
| What questions do you have about coronavirus? | What questions do you have about coronavirus? |
| In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy. | In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy. |
| Use this form to ask your question: | Use this form to ask your question: |
| If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in. | If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in. |
| THE CHRISTMAS FOOD TRENDS YOU NEED: From vegan Wellingtons to deluxe macaroni cheese | THE CHRISTMAS FOOD TRENDS YOU NEED: From vegan Wellingtons to deluxe macaroni cheese |
| WINTER WALKS: Join Reverend Kate Bottley as she walks over the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey | WINTER WALKS: Join Reverend Kate Bottley as she walks over the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey |
| Related Topics | |
| Coronavirus pandemic |