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| Covid live news: Boris Johnson unveils ambitious booster plan; South African president tests positive | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Latest updates: UK prime minister gives televised address; Starmer says Johnson looks to have broken Covid law with Christmas quiz | Latest updates: UK prime minister gives televised address; Starmer says Johnson looks to have broken Covid law with Christmas quiz |
| The NHS is facing a “huge” challenge in its fight against Omicron, NHS Providers said. | |
| The organisation for the NHS hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services said the announcement on Sunday that the target to get every UK adult vaccinated has been brought forward by a month is a “critical moment”. | |
| It added that the NHS needs public support “now as much as ever” as the health service is “already under enormous pressure”. | |
| An NHS Providers spokesperson said: | |
| They added that “we will need to reprioritise” as the NHS is “already beyond full stretch”. The spokesperson said: | |
| Macmillan Cancer Support reacted to the news that other NHS services may be delayed and said “the government also must not fail to ensure NHS cancer services are prioritised and protected this winter to ensure that nobody faces long waits and disruption in vital cancer care”. | |
| Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the NHS will do “everything it can to get even more vaccines into people’s arms so that the public has the maximum possible level of protection” but “while the NHS will remain open for business, this enhanced focus on vaccinations could lead to disruption elsewhere in the service”. | |
| Taylor added: | |
| Here some more detail from AFP on the news that South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday: | |
| On Sunday, South Africa logged 37,875 daily new infections, data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases showed - the highest daily tally yet, exceeding the previous record of 26,485 set during the peak of the third wave in July, Bloomberg reports. | |
| This from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Boris Johnson’s announcements tonight: | This from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Boris Johnson’s announcements tonight: |
| The public should put aside their “justifiable anger” about recent rule-breaking allegations surrounding Downing Street and Boris Johnson and get their booster vaccination, the Labour MP Wes Streeting has urged. | The public should put aside their “justifiable anger” about recent rule-breaking allegations surrounding Downing Street and Boris Johnson and get their booster vaccination, the Labour MP Wes Streeting has urged. |
| The shadow health secretary told broadcasters: | The shadow health secretary told broadcasters: |
| Streeting, who had previously called for all adults to be allowed to book their jabs before Johnson’s announced acceleration, said he is booked in to get his top-up jab on Thursday. | Streeting, who had previously called for all adults to be allowed to book their jabs before Johnson’s announced acceleration, said he is booked in to get his top-up jab on Thursday. |
| He stressed that the NHS would need to be achieving one million boosters a day in order to achieve the new year target. | He stressed that the NHS would need to be achieving one million boosters a day in order to achieve the new year target. |
| Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London, welcomed prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of an “emergency booster national mission”, but voiced doubts about whether this would prevent further restrictions before Christmas. | Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London, welcomed prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of an “emergency booster national mission”, but voiced doubts about whether this would prevent further restrictions before Christmas. |
| “Boosting all adults by the end of the month is really important. We do know that two doses is just not enough,” she said. | “Boosting all adults by the end of the month is really important. We do know that two doses is just not enough,” she said. |
| However, she said that some current policies appeared contradictory, including allowing vaccinated people to take lateral flow tests instead of isolating after contact with a Covid case. | However, she said that some current policies appeared contradictory, including allowing vaccinated people to take lateral flow tests instead of isolating after contact with a Covid case. |
| She said: | She said: |
| Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said that delivering boosters to all adults in the UK would be a huge challenge, but if achieved it would be the most effective means to reduce severe disease and pressure on the NHS. | Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said that delivering boosters to all adults in the UK would be a huge challenge, but if achieved it would be the most effective means to reduce severe disease and pressure on the NHS. |
| Hunter said: | Hunter said: |
| Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol and a member of JCVI, said that the ambition to offer boosters to all adults “makes sense if it’s achievable”. | Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol and a member of JCVI, said that the ambition to offer boosters to all adults “makes sense if it’s achievable”. |
| He said: | He said: |
| The leader of the British Labour party, Sir Keir Starmer, said the government had Labour’s support to accelerate the booster programme, as he urged the public to “protect our families, friends and the NHS” by getting a top-up jab amid fears over the Omicron variant. | The leader of the British Labour party, Sir Keir Starmer, said the government had Labour’s support to accelerate the booster programme, as he urged the public to “protect our families, friends and the NHS” by getting a top-up jab amid fears over the Omicron variant. |
| Starmer said: | Starmer said: |
| Scotland aims to offer booster jabs to all eligible adults by the end of the year, but more Covid-19 restrictions may still be needed to combat Omicron, Nicola Sturgeon has said. | Scotland aims to offer booster jabs to all eligible adults by the end of the year, but more Covid-19 restrictions may still be needed to combat Omicron, Nicola Sturgeon has said. |
| In a statement following prime minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation, Scotland’s first minister said urgent work is under way to “further accelerate rollout of the booster vaccination programme in Scotland”, PA reports. | In a statement following prime minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation, Scotland’s first minister said urgent work is under way to “further accelerate rollout of the booster vaccination programme in Scotland”, PA reports. |
| She said her government’s aim is to offer a “booster jag appointment to all eligible adults by the end of this year if possible”, with 30-39 year olds able to book from 10am on Monday and 18-29 year olds from later in the week. | She said her government’s aim is to offer a “booster jag appointment to all eligible adults by the end of this year if possible”, with 30-39 year olds able to book from 10am on Monday and 18-29 year olds from later in the week. |
| Sturgeon added: | Sturgeon added: |
| The NHS website to book booster jabs has been experiencing technical difficulties, shortly after British prime minister Boris Johnson’s televised address, in which he urged eligible people to “get boosted now”. | The NHS website to book booster jabs has been experiencing technical difficulties, shortly after British prime minister Boris Johnson’s televised address, in which he urged eligible people to “get boosted now”. |
| A statement on the website said: “The NHS website is currently experiencing technical difficulties. We are working to resolve these issues. Thank you for your patience.” | A statement on the website said: “The NHS website is currently experiencing technical difficulties. We are working to resolve these issues. Thank you for your patience.” |
| South African president Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, but was showing mild symptoms, the presidency said. | South African president Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, but was showing mild symptoms, the presidency said. |
| “The President started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today,” the statement said. | “The President started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today,” the statement said. |
| “The President, who is fully vaccinated, is in self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week,” it added. | “The President, who is fully vaccinated, is in self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week,” it added. |
| My colleagues Jessica Elgot, Aubrey Allegretti and Haroon Siddique have a story on Boris Johnson’s gamble on an unprecedented ramping up of vaccinations, rolling out 1m booster jabs a day to stem an incoming “tidal wave of Omicron” and avoid imposing further restrictions. | My colleagues Jessica Elgot, Aubrey Allegretti and Haroon Siddique have a story on Boris Johnson’s gamble on an unprecedented ramping up of vaccinations, rolling out 1m booster jabs a day to stem an incoming “tidal wave of Omicron” and avoid imposing further restrictions. |
| The government will support the NHS in this emergency booster rollout by “deploying 42 military planning teams across every health region, standing up additional vaccine sites and mobile units, extending opening hours so clinics are open seven days a week with more appointments early in the morning, in the evening and at weekends, and training 1000s more volunteer vaccinators”, Johnson said. | The government will support the NHS in this emergency booster rollout by “deploying 42 military planning teams across every health region, standing up additional vaccine sites and mobile units, extending opening hours so clinics are open seven days a week with more appointments early in the morning, in the evening and at weekends, and training 1000s more volunteer vaccinators”, Johnson said. |
| Further steps will be set out in the days ahead, he added. | Further steps will be set out in the days ahead, he added. |
| On Covid restrictions, the prime minister said: | On Covid restrictions, the prime minister said: |
| In a final plea, Johnson added: | In a final plea, Johnson added: |
| Boris Johnson has announced that every person aged 18 and over in England will be able to get the booster jab before the New Year. | Boris Johnson has announced that every person aged 18 and over in England will be able to get the booster jab before the New Year. |
| At this point, Johnson said, the country’s scientists cannot say whether the Omicron variant is less severe than previous ones. | At this point, Johnson said, the country’s scientists cannot say whether the Omicron variant is less severe than previous ones. |
| He said: | He said: |
| From Monday, he said, every adult in England who has had a second dose of the vaccine at least three months ago will be eligible for a booster jab. | From Monday, he said, every adult in England who has had a second dose of the vaccine at least three months ago will be eligible for a booster jab. |
| “The NHS booking system will be open for these younger age groups from Wednesday. And that’s the best way to guarantee your slot. But in some places you can walk in from tomorrow,” Johnson added. | “The NHS booking system will be open for these younger age groups from Wednesday. And that’s the best way to guarantee your slot. But in some places you can walk in from tomorrow,” Johnson added. |
| Boris Johnson has urged Britons to “get boosted now” and protect the NHS, and warned the population to not underestimate the dangers of the new Omicron variant. | Boris Johnson has urged Britons to “get boosted now” and protect the NHS, and warned the population to not underestimate the dangers of the new Omicron variant. |
| Johnson said the UK’s four chief medical officers had raised the Covid threat level to its second highest level “because of the evidence that Omicron is doubling here in the UK every two to three days.” | Johnson said the UK’s four chief medical officers had raised the Covid threat level to its second highest level “because of the evidence that Omicron is doubling here in the UK every two to three days.” |
| Johnson said: | Johnson said: |
| A pre-recorded address to the nation by British prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to begin at 8pm GMT. | A pre-recorded address to the nation by British prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to begin at 8pm GMT. |
| People have demonstrated in several German cities against the country’s Covid measures this weekend, with protesters clashing with police. | People have demonstrated in several German cities against the country’s Covid measures this weekend, with protesters clashing with police. |
| 14 police officers were injured in protests in Greiz, Thuringia, where up to 1000 people gathered there on Saturday, the police said on Sunday. Police used pepper spray on protesters trying to break a police chain, the German press agency dpa reported. | 14 police officers were injured in protests in Greiz, Thuringia, where up to 1000 people gathered there on Saturday, the police said on Sunday. Police used pepper spray on protesters trying to break a police chain, the German press agency dpa reported. |
| Around 1,500 people took part in a rally in Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg on Saturday and marched “For freedom, truth and self-determination”. | Around 1,500 people took part in a rally in Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg on Saturday and marched “For freedom, truth and self-determination”. |
| Requests to wear a mask were ignored, police said. As a result, the rally was dissolved. When police tried to stop one breakaway group, police said that participants violently broke the officers’ chain and used pepper spray and batons. | Requests to wear a mask were ignored, police said. As a result, the rally was dissolved. When police tried to stop one breakaway group, police said that participants violently broke the officers’ chain and used pepper spray and batons. |
| According to the police, two police officers were slightly injured on Sunday morning during a small rally in Bennewitz near Leipzig. | According to the police, two police officers were slightly injured on Sunday morning during a small rally in Bennewitz near Leipzig. |
| Almost 100 people took part in an illegal demonstration in Frankfurt, Hesse on Saturday, which was disbanded by police. | Almost 100 people took part in an illegal demonstration in Frankfurt, Hesse on Saturday, which was disbanded by police. |
| The police also stopped an unregistered protest march of the “lateral thinkers” movement against Covid measures with 550 people at times in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia. | The police also stopped an unregistered protest march of the “lateral thinkers” movement against Covid measures with 550 people at times in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia. |
| Coronavirus booster vaccines are to be made available to people aged 30-39 in Scotland from Monday and to 18-29-year-olds from later in the week, health secretary Humza Yousaf has said. | Coronavirus booster vaccines are to be made available to people aged 30-39 in Scotland from Monday and to 18-29-year-olds from later in the week, health secretary Humza Yousaf has said. |
| Writing on Twitter, Yousaf said: | Writing on Twitter, Yousaf said: |
| The move follows UK government’s decision to make booster doses available to people aged 30-39 in England. | The move follows UK government’s decision to make booster doses available to people aged 30-39 in England. |
| New Covid restrictions are “likely” to be introduced in Wales as the country faces an impending “tsunami” from the Omicron variant, the health minister has said. | New Covid restrictions are “likely” to be introduced in Wales as the country faces an impending “tsunami” from the Omicron variant, the health minister has said. |
| Eluned Morgan said the Welsh government wanted “to act proportionately” as there were only around 15 cases of the new strain but that was likely to “change very quickly in a very short space of time”. | Eluned Morgan said the Welsh government wanted “to act proportionately” as there were only around 15 cases of the new strain but that was likely to “change very quickly in a very short space of time”. |
| Morgan told BBC Politics Wales: | Morgan told BBC Politics Wales: |
| Morgan said that “no decisions” had been made yet on what future restrictions could look like. | Morgan said that “no decisions” had been made yet on what future restrictions could look like. |
| Future restrictions would be measured against the health, social and economic impact but Morgan said it would be “much more difficult” if there was no furlough scheme. | Future restrictions would be measured against the health, social and economic impact but Morgan said it would be “much more difficult” if there was no furlough scheme. |
| Morgan said the Welsh government wanted to “act proportionately” and would not impose new measures “unless they are necessary”. | Morgan said the Welsh government wanted to “act proportionately” and would not impose new measures “unless they are necessary”. |
| She said: | She said: |
| In last Friday’s three-week review, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced reviews would now take place weekly due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant. Morgan told the programme it was “very commendable” that health boards had been urging people not to attend Christmas parties to limit the pressure on the NHS but stressed that the Welsh government was not yet officially advising people to cancel plans and urging people to take lateral flow tests before going out instead. | In last Friday’s three-week review, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced reviews would now take place weekly due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant. Morgan told the programme it was “very commendable” that health boards had been urging people not to attend Christmas parties to limit the pressure on the NHS but stressed that the Welsh government was not yet officially advising people to cancel plans and urging people to take lateral flow tests before going out instead. |
| “I think there will come a point where that may be likely to happen,” she said. | “I think there will come a point where that may be likely to happen,” she said. |
| She also urged people to get their booster jab as two doses of the vaccine “simply won’t cut it” with the Omicron variant. | She also urged people to get their booster jab as two doses of the vaccine “simply won’t cut it” with the Omicron variant. |
| She said: | She said: |
| Israel on Sunday announced it was adding the UK, Denmark and Belgium to its “red” list of countries that Israelis are forbidden to visit, citing concern over the spread of the Omicron variant. | Israel on Sunday announced it was adding the UK, Denmark and Belgium to its “red” list of countries that Israelis are forbidden to visit, citing concern over the spread of the Omicron variant. |
| The travel restrictions for the three countries will go into effect on Wednesday, a senior Israeli health official told a news conference. | The travel restrictions for the three countries will go into effect on Wednesday, a senior Israeli health official told a news conference. |
| Israel has already declared around 50 countries, mainly in Africa, as “red” since the discovery of the Omicron variant, and has already banned the entry of foreigners to try to stem infection rates, Reuters reports. | Israel has already declared around 50 countries, mainly in Africa, as “red” since the discovery of the Omicron variant, and has already banned the entry of foreigners to try to stem infection rates, Reuters reports. |
| Israeli health officials said there have been 55 confirmed cases of Omicron infection in Israel, which has been trying to accelerate its vaccination programme while weighing stricter enforcement of mask mandates. | Israeli health officials said there have been 55 confirmed cases of Omicron infection in Israel, which has been trying to accelerate its vaccination programme while weighing stricter enforcement of mask mandates. |