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Covid live: Boris Johnson appeals for thousands of volunteers to deliver UK jabs; Norway to tighten restrictions Covid news: volunteers asked to deliver UK jabs; Norway to tighten restrictions – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
UK prime minister appeals to public to step forward to assist the booster programme; Norway to act amid record high infections and hospitalisationsUK prime minister appeals to public to step forward to assist the booster programme; Norway to act amid record high infections and hospitalisations
Thanks for joining us. We will now be closing this Covid blog.Thanks for joining us. We will now be closing this Covid blog.
However, you can catch up with all the latest developments on our new blog here.However, you can catch up with all the latest developments on our new blog here.
Here is a snapshot of all the key Covid developments:Here is a snapshot of all the key Covid developments:
Omicron has killed at least one person in Britain, prime minister Boris Johnson revealed.Omicron has killed at least one person in Britain, prime minister Boris Johnson revealed.
Boris Johnson issued an appeal to members of the public to step forward to assist the Covid booster jab programme.Boris Johnson issued an appeal to members of the public to step forward to assist the Covid booster jab programme.
Norway tightens Covid measures and bans serving of alcohol in bid to halt Omicron outbreak.Norway tightens Covid measures and bans serving of alcohol in bid to halt Omicron outbreak.
Protests in Latvia turned violent after a police officer was injured and four demonstrators arrested as several thousand people in the capital Riga protested anti-Covid restrictions.Protests in Latvia turned violent after a police officer was injured and four demonstrators arrested as several thousand people in the capital Riga protested anti-Covid restrictions.
Peru says it is battling a “resurgence” of the pandemic, with infections and deaths rising. The country has the world’s highest coronavirus death rate.Peru says it is battling a “resurgence” of the pandemic, with infections and deaths rising. The country has the world’s highest coronavirus death rate.
China has recorded its first case of the Omicron variant, state media report authorities in the northeastern city of Tianjin as saying.China has recorded its first case of the Omicron variant, state media report authorities in the northeastern city of Tianjin as saying.
In Denmark, health authorities say a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will be offered sooner to everyone over 40 to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.In Denmark, health authorities say a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will be offered sooner to everyone over 40 to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
The US Air Force has discharged 27 people for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine, making them what officials believe are the first service members to be removed for disobeying the mandate to get the shots.The US Air Force has discharged 27 people for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine, making them what officials believe are the first service members to be removed for disobeying the mandate to get the shots.
California will impose a statewide mask mandate in all indoor public spaces.California will impose a statewide mask mandate in all indoor public spaces.
Covid-19 cases in Canada may rapidly rise in the coming days due to community spread of the Omicron variant.Covid-19 cases in Canada may rapidly rise in the coming days due to community spread of the Omicron variant.
Nigeria will destroy around one million expired Covid-19 vaccines, Faisal Shuaib, head of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said.Nigeria will destroy around one million expired Covid-19 vaccines, Faisal Shuaib, head of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said.
At least 200,000 Covid-19 vaccines have expired in Senegal without being used in the past two months and another 200,000 are set to expire at the end of December because demand is too slow, the head of its immunisation programme said.At least 200,000 Covid-19 vaccines have expired in Senegal without being used in the past two months and another 200,000 are set to expire at the end of December because demand is too slow, the head of its immunisation programme said.
Thailand will halve to three months the time between administering a second Covid-19 vaccine shot and a booster, health officials said.Thailand will halve to three months the time between administering a second Covid-19 vaccine shot and a booster, health officials said.
The Omicron variant likely accounts for 11% of new Covid-19 cases in Ireland, its Chief Medical Officer said on Monday, while predicting a very rapid increase in the proportion of Omicron infections in the coming days amid probable widespread community transmission.The Omicron variant likely accounts for 11% of new Covid-19 cases in Ireland, its Chief Medical Officer said on Monday, while predicting a very rapid increase in the proportion of Omicron infections in the coming days amid probable widespread community transmission.
Ireland has so far confirmed 18 cases of the variant through whole-genome sequencing out of an average 4,000 Covid-19 cases it has been reporting each day.Ireland has so far confirmed 18 cases of the variant through whole-genome sequencing out of an average 4,000 Covid-19 cases it has been reporting each day.
A trait distinguishing Omicron from the dominant Delta variant suggests a much higher total, said the National Public Health Emergency Team.A trait distinguishing Omicron from the dominant Delta variant suggests a much higher total, said the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said in a statement:Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said in a statement:
Just over 90% of Ireland’s eligible 3.9 million people over the age of 12 have been fully vaccinated - one of the highest rates of protection in Europe - and it has administered a further 1.2 million booster doses.Just over 90% of Ireland’s eligible 3.9 million people over the age of 12 have been fully vaccinated - one of the highest rates of protection in Europe - and it has administered a further 1.2 million booster doses.
Coronavirus passports could lead to increased uptake of vaccines, especially among young people, a study suggests.Coronavirus passports could lead to increased uptake of vaccines, especially among young people, a study suggests.
Research by the University of Oxford found Covid-19 certification led to increased jab uptake 20 days before and 40 days after introduction in countries with lower-than-average vaccination coverage. Increase in vaccine uptake was most pronounced in people under 30. The modelling analysis was published in The Lancet Public Health.Research by the University of Oxford found Covid-19 certification led to increased jab uptake 20 days before and 40 days after introduction in countries with lower-than-average vaccination coverage. Increase in vaccine uptake was most pronounced in people under 30. The modelling analysis was published in The Lancet Public Health.
Coronavirus passports require people to have proof of either complete vaccination, a negative test or a Covid-19 recovery certificate to access public venues and events, such as restaurants or concerts. As well as helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus in public venues, it has been suggested they may encourage more unvaccinated people to get vaccinated, particularly those who perceive their own risk of hospitalisation or death from Covid-19 as low.Coronavirus passports require people to have proof of either complete vaccination, a negative test or a Covid-19 recovery certificate to access public venues and events, such as restaurants or concerts. As well as helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus in public venues, it has been suggested they may encourage more unvaccinated people to get vaccinated, particularly those who perceive their own risk of hospitalisation or death from Covid-19 as low.
Read the full story from our reporter Andrew Gregory here.Read the full story from our reporter Andrew Gregory here.
Hello it’s Samantha Lock back with you on the blog as my colleague Jedidajah Otte takes a well-deserved break.Hello it’s Samantha Lock back with you on the blog as my colleague Jedidajah Otte takes a well-deserved break.
First up, some Covid numbers out of Australia.First up, some Covid numbers out of Australia.
The country’s most populous state of NSW has recorded 804 new Covid-19 cases and one death, a significant jump from previous days.The country’s most populous state of NSW has recorded 804 new Covid-19 cases and one death, a significant jump from previous days.
Victoria recorded 1,189 new cases a six deaths.Victoria recorded 1,189 new cases a six deaths.
Prime minister Scott Morrison called on states and territories to ease their last remaining Covid-19 restrictions, as Western Australia announced plans to reopen its hard border to the rest of the nation.Prime minister Scott Morrison called on states and territories to ease their last remaining Covid-19 restrictions, as Western Australia announced plans to reopen its hard border to the rest of the nation.
The US Air Force has discharged 27 people for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine, making them what officials believe are the first service members to be removed for disobeying the mandate to get the shots.The US Air Force has discharged 27 people for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine, making them what officials believe are the first service members to be removed for disobeying the mandate to get the shots.
The Associated Press reports:The Associated Press reports:
UK prime minister Boris Johnson has issued an appeal to members of the public to step forward to assist the Covid booster jab programme in a race to counter the new Omicron variant.UK prime minister Boris Johnson has issued an appeal to members of the public to step forward to assist the Covid booster jab programme in a race to counter the new Omicron variant.
Johnson, who announced the new mass booster programme on Sunday, said “tens of thousands” of volunteers were needed in order to ramp up delivery of booster jabs to an unprecedented pace.Johnson, who announced the new mass booster programme on Sunday, said “tens of thousands” of volunteers were needed in order to ramp up delivery of booster jabs to an unprecedented pace.
Roles needing to be filled by volunteers range from stewards to organise and manage the queues to trained vaccinators to administer the jabs.Roles needing to be filled by volunteers range from stewards to organise and manage the queues to trained vaccinators to administer the jabs.
On Sunday, Johnson announced that every eligible adult in England is to be offered a booster shot by the end of December, a month earlier than previously planned, while resources are being made available to the devolved nations to speed up delivery.On Sunday, Johnson announced that every eligible adult in England is to be offered a booster shot by the end of December, a month earlier than previously planned, while resources are being made available to the devolved nations to speed up delivery.
Johnson has acknowledged that it will require an “extraordinary effort” by the NHS, with hundreds more vaccination sites, mobile units and pop-ups due to open over the coming week.Johnson has acknowledged that it will require an “extraordinary effort” by the NHS, with hundreds more vaccination sites, mobile units and pop-ups due to open over the coming week.
In a direct appeal to the public, Johnson said:In a direct appeal to the public, Johnson said:
There are currently almost 3,000 vaccine sites across the country, staffed by over 90,000 volunteers, PA reports.There are currently almost 3,000 vaccine sites across the country, staffed by over 90,000 volunteers, PA reports.
After the NHS last week announced a recruitment drive for 10,000 paid vaccinators, 4,500 people have registered their interest while 13,000 have come forward as volunteer stewards.After the NHS last week announced a recruitment drive for 10,000 paid vaccinators, 4,500 people have registered their interest while 13,000 have come forward as volunteer stewards.
Brazil logged 2,082 fresh infections and 48 new deaths from Covid-19 on Monday as infections are still decreasing in the country, with 7,133 new infections reported on average each day.Brazil logged 2,082 fresh infections and 48 new deaths from Covid-19 on Monday as infections are still decreasing in the country, with 7,133 new infections reported on average each day.
That’s 9% of the peak, which was reached on 23 June, according to the Reuters Covid-19 Tracker.That’s 9% of the peak, which was reached on 23 June, according to the Reuters Covid-19 Tracker.
Overall, 22,188,179 infections and 616,744 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in the country since the pandemic began.Overall, 22,188,179 infections and 616,744 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in the country since the pandemic began.
California will impose a statewide mask mandate in all indoor public spaces as Covid-19 case rates soar with the spread of the new Omicron variant, the state secretary of health and human services, Mark Ghaly, said on Monday.California will impose a statewide mask mandate in all indoor public spaces as Covid-19 case rates soar with the spread of the new Omicron variant, the state secretary of health and human services, Mark Ghaly, said on Monday.
As of Saturday, 7.4 million of California’s population of around 40 million had received their booster jab, according to the office of governor Gavin Newsom.As of Saturday, 7.4 million of California’s population of around 40 million had received their booster jab, according to the office of governor Gavin Newsom.
My colleague Dan Sabbagh has written up a piece on how the NHS will gear up for the “huge challenge” of delivering prime minister Boris Johnson’s new booster jab target:My colleague Dan Sabbagh has written up a piece on how the NHS will gear up for the “huge challenge” of delivering prime minister Boris Johnson’s new booster jab target:
Doctors, nurses and NHS executives will have to find a way of trebling the rate of booster vaccinations to more than 1.2m a day if they are to offer all eligible adults in the UK a jab by the end of December.Doctors, nurses and NHS executives will have to find a way of trebling the rate of booster vaccinations to more than 1.2m a day if they are to offer all eligible adults in the UK a jab by the end of December.
The target came as a surprise to the health service, which will now have to find staff to work through the holiday season, alongside the 750 military personnel drafted in to assist them.The target came as a surprise to the health service, which will now have to find staff to work through the holiday season, alongside the 750 military personnel drafted in to assist them.
Full story here:Full story here:
Covid-19 cases in Canada may rapidly rise in the coming days due to community spread of the Omicron variant, mirroring the situation in the country’s most populous province of Ontario, Canada’s top health official said on Monday.Covid-19 cases in Canada may rapidly rise in the coming days due to community spread of the Omicron variant, mirroring the situation in the country’s most populous province of Ontario, Canada’s top health official said on Monday.
Ontario, which accounts for almost 40% of Canada’s population of 39 million people, reported 1,536 cases of Covid-19 on Monday, a more-than 70% increase from a week ago, including 80 cases of the Omicron variant.Ontario, which accounts for almost 40% of Canada’s population of 39 million people, reported 1,536 cases of Covid-19 on Monday, a more-than 70% increase from a week ago, including 80 cases of the Omicron variant.
The surge has prompted the provincial government to suspend easing of restrictions that were planned to be lifted ahead of the holiday season, Reuters reports.The surge has prompted the provincial government to suspend easing of restrictions that were planned to be lifted ahead of the holiday season, Reuters reports.
The World Health Organization has said that the Omicron coronavirus variant poses a “very high” global risk, having reached over 60 countries, while it remains unclear for the moment how much vaccines can protect against it.The World Health Organization has said that the Omicron coronavirus variant poses a “very high” global risk, having reached over 60 countries, while it remains unclear for the moment how much vaccines can protect against it.
Ontario has directed government staff, who started gradually returning to their offices in November, to go back to working from home at least until early-February, CTV news reported Monday.Ontario has directed government staff, who started gradually returning to their offices in November, to go back to working from home at least until early-February, CTV news reported Monday.
The University of Victoria in the provimce of British Columbia announced on Sunday that it will be moving its in-person exams online from Monday after a rise in Covid-19 cases on Vancouver Island.The University of Victoria in the provimce of British Columbia announced on Sunday that it will be moving its in-person exams online from Monday after a rise in Covid-19 cases on Vancouver Island.
Schools in England should not be closing early for Christmas unless they have been told it is “necessary” on public health grounds, the British government has said.Schools in England should not be closing early for Christmas unless they have been told it is “necessary” on public health grounds, the British government has said.
The prime minister’s official spokesman indicated that schools would be kept open unless there is an “absolute public health emergency”, PA reports.The prime minister’s official spokesman indicated that schools would be kept open unless there is an “absolute public health emergency”, PA reports.
Asked whether schools might close early for Christmas, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said:Asked whether schools might close early for Christmas, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said:
The NASUWT teaching union however is calling on education secretary Nadhim Zahawi to urgently announce additional measures for schools and colleges before the Christmas break to avoid a repeat of the “chaos” last year.The NASUWT teaching union however is calling on education secretary Nadhim Zahawi to urgently announce additional measures for schools and colleges before the Christmas break to avoid a repeat of the “chaos” last year.
The Government should advise schools to cancel or postpone non-essential activities and events immediately, as well as move to online staff and parental meetings, the union says.The Government should advise schools to cancel or postpone non-essential activities and events immediately, as well as move to online staff and parental meetings, the union says.
A staggered return of pupils in January should be considered and extra on-site testing facilities should be provided until the February half-term, the union says.A staggered return of pupils in January should be considered and extra on-site testing facilities should be provided until the February half-term, the union says.
Health secretary Sajid Javid said on Monday he could not guarantee schools would not close again due to the pandemic.Health secretary Sajid Javid said on Monday he could not guarantee schools would not close again due to the pandemic.
Zahawi said on Sunday he could not guarantee that all schools would be open everywhere in January.Zahawi said on Sunday he could not guarantee that all schools would be open everywhere in January.