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Covid live news: 1.7 million people in UK had coronavirus last week; thousands of Christmas flights cancelled Covid live news: 1.7 million people in UK had coronavirus last week; thousands of Christmas flights cancelled
(30 minutes later)
ONS figures are highest on record so far; Christmas for many in disarray as US and Australian airlines say flight crews hit by CovidONS figures are highest on record so far; Christmas for many in disarray as US and Australian airlines say flight crews hit by Covid
Hello, I’m Jedidajah Otte and I’ll be taking over for the next hour while my colleague Clea Skopeliti has a break. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have anything to flag you think we should be covering, I’m on Twitter @JedySays or you can email me. The number of Omicron cases in Scotland have more than doubled after the statistics were updated following a backlog, Scottish government figures show.
As of 5pm on Thursday, a further 3,832 confirmed cases were reported, taking the total number of cases of the new variant to 6,154.
According to the figures, the increase was caused by a backlog of genotyping results being received by Public Health Scotland that were undertaken in mid-December.
In total, the number of cases of coronavirus increased by 7,076 since Thursday, with 10 more deaths recorded. A total of 9,822 people in Scotland have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid.
Speaking on Christmas Eve, national clinical director Jason Leitch said: “The Omicron variant is coming, but behaviour and vaccines are keeping it at bay a little.
“But tomorrow is crucial for that, because if we suddenly throw caution to the wind, then it will find a way to infect individuals who gather.
“Try and (meet) carefully, test before you meet other people and get yourself vaccinated.”
The number of Omicron cases in Scotland has more than doubled, Scottish government figures show, as nearly has the number of people in hospital confirmed to have the new strain, from 24 on Thursday to 42 on Friday.
As of 5pm on Thursday, 3,832 confirmed cases were reported, taking the total number of cases of the new variant to 6,154.
According to the figures, the increase was caused by a backlog of genotyping results being received by Public Health Scotland that were undertaken in mid-December, PA reports.
In total, the number of cases of Covid-19 increased by 7,076 since Thursday. 10 new deaths were also logged, taking Scotland’s overall number of people who died after having first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days to 9,822.
There were 536 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19 on Wednesday, down four on the day before, and 34 people were in intensive care, down four.
So far 4,378,172 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 4,006,076 have received their second dose, and 2,841,703 have received a third dose or booster. On Friday, national clinical director Jason Leitch urged Scots preparing to meet loved ones for Christmas to be cautious:
A total of 605,561 booster and third doses of Covid-19 vaccine were recorded in the UK on Thursday, the lowest daily figure since 13 December.
Nearly 32.3 million booster and third doses have now been delivered in the UK, with more than 5.9 million in the past seven days.
The figures have been published by the UK’s four health agencies.
New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests that people from Pakistani, Caribbean and African backgrounds have the lowest rates for receiving a booster or third dose of Covid-19 vaccine in England.
Figures suggest the lowest take-up of third doses and booster jabs among people aged 50 and over in England was in the Pakistani (42.2%), black Caribbean (44.4%) and black African (45.4%) groups.
More than a quarter of people of black Caribbean ethnicity are estimated to not have received a first Covid vaccine dose up to 12 December - the highest proportion of all ethnic groups, the ONS said.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, council chair at the British Medical Association, told BBC Radio 4’s World at One:
The ONS also said that take-up was lower among people with disabilities, people living in more deprived areas, those who have never worked or are long-term unemployed, those without qualifications and those who do not own their own home, compared to more advantaged groups.
Hello, I’m Jedidajah Otte and I’ll be taking over for the next hour while my colleague Clea Skopeliti has a break. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have anything to flag you think we should be covering. I’m on Twitter @JedySays or you can email me.
In the UK, the chief of the Office for National Statistics has said there are “some indications” of people engaging in “safer behaviour” in response to the Omicron wave.In the UK, the chief of the Office for National Statistics has said there are “some indications” of people engaging in “safer behaviour” in response to the Omicron wave.
However, Sir Ian Diamond told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “At the moment I think it’s far too early to suggest that we will see anything other than a a continued rise.”However, Sir Ian Diamond told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “At the moment I think it’s far too early to suggest that we will see anything other than a a continued rise.”
Diamond denied being “shaken” by the speed of the rise in cases, saying: “I think we were gearing ourselves up for them”.Diamond denied being “shaken” by the speed of the rise in cases, saying: “I think we were gearing ourselves up for them”.
“But at the same time, clearly they are really big increases, and that’s why it was incredibly important, we felt, to get them out into the public domain as soon as possible.”“But at the same time, clearly they are really big increases, and that’s why it was incredibly important, we felt, to get them out into the public domain as soon as possible.”
His comments come after figures showed that 1.7 million people in the UK had Covid last week, including one in 20 people in London.His comments come after figures showed that 1.7 million people in the UK had Covid last week, including one in 20 people in London.
Airlines’ social media feeds have been filled with frustrated passengers asking for assistance after a spate of cancellations on Christmas Eve due to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.Airlines’ social media feeds have been filled with frustrated passengers asking for assistance after a spate of cancellations on Christmas Eve due to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
More than 2,000 flights were cancelled globally on Friday as the Omicron variant took a toll on airline carriers’ staff.More than 2,000 flights were cancelled globally on Friday as the Omicron variant took a toll on airline carriers’ staff.
“@Delta really?! You cancel my Christmas Eve flight at 12:30am?? I got up at 2am to get to the airport with my baby and husband and don’t see the cancellation till I’m at the airport to get my bags checked,” one passenger tweeted at the airline on Friday – one of several similar messages directed at carriers that have had to call off flights.“@Delta really?! You cancel my Christmas Eve flight at 12:30am?? I got up at 2am to get to the airport with my baby and husband and don’t see the cancellation till I’m at the airport to get my bags checked,” one passenger tweeted at the airline on Friday – one of several similar messages directed at carriers that have had to call off flights.
There have been 458 cancelled flights within, into, or out of the United States, where Omicron now makes up more than 70% of new Covid cases.There have been 458 cancelled flights within, into, or out of the United States, where Omicron now makes up more than 70% of new Covid cases.
Passengers travelling home for Christmas have been hit with disruption worldwide after airline companies cancelled more than 2,000 flights on Friday, according to a flight tracking website.Passengers travelling home for Christmas have been hit with disruption worldwide after airline companies cancelled more than 2,000 flights on Friday, according to a flight tracking website.
The surge of Christmas Eve cancellations comes as the rapidly spreading Omicron variant means carriers are unable to staff their flights.The surge of Christmas Eve cancellations comes as the rapidly spreading Omicron variant means carriers are unable to staff their flights.
The bulk of the cancellations came from five firms, with China Eastern cancelling 474 journeys, while Air China scrapped 188. United has cancelled 180 flights, Air India 160 and Delta has called off 127, figures from FlightAware show.The bulk of the cancellations came from five firms, with China Eastern cancelling 474 journeys, while Air China scrapped 188. United has cancelled 180 flights, Air India 160 and Delta has called off 127, figures from FlightAware show.
At time of writing, the the flight tracking firm said the current number of Christmas Eve flights cancelled globally is 2,031. The figure includes 448 cancelled in the United States, where Omicron now accounts for more than 70% of new cases.At time of writing, the the flight tracking firm said the current number of Christmas Eve flights cancelled globally is 2,031. The figure includes 448 cancelled in the United States, where Omicron now accounts for more than 70% of new cases.
“The nationwide spike in Omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation. As a result, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel some flights and are notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport,” United said on Thursday.“The nationwide spike in Omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation. As a result, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel some flights and are notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport,” United said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Delta said it has “exhausted all options and resources – including rerouting and substitutions of aircraft and crews to cover scheduled flying – before cancelling around 90 flights for Friday.”Meanwhile, Delta said it has “exhausted all options and resources – including rerouting and substitutions of aircraft and crews to cover scheduled flying – before cancelling around 90 flights for Friday.”
The airline attributed the impact of the Omicron variant and weather conditions for the cancellations.The airline attributed the impact of the Omicron variant and weather conditions for the cancellations.
In response to the pre-holiday chaos, airlines have called for the relaxation of quarantine rules for vaccinated staff. Delta’s chief executive, Ed Bastian, asked the head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cut the self-isolation period for vaccinated people experiencing breakthrough infections from 10 to five days. Airlines for America and JetBlue have seconded the request.In response to the pre-holiday chaos, airlines have called for the relaxation of quarantine rules for vaccinated staff. Delta’s chief executive, Ed Bastian, asked the head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cut the self-isolation period for vaccinated people experiencing breakthrough infections from 10 to five days. Airlines for America and JetBlue have seconded the request.
The request comes amid a relaxation of self-isolation rules in England, allowing people to end quarantine after seven days if they test negative on two tests 24 hours apart. Similarly, the CDC in the US cut the isolation period to seven days for asymptomatic people who test negative, but only for health workers.The request comes amid a relaxation of self-isolation rules in England, allowing people to end quarantine after seven days if they test negative on two tests 24 hours apart. Similarly, the CDC in the US cut the isolation period to seven days for asymptomatic people who test negative, but only for health workers.
Officials in the north-western Chinese city of Xian are facing punishment after a Covid-19 outbreak led to the lockdown of its 13 million residents.Officials in the north-western Chinese city of Xian are facing punishment after a Covid-19 outbreak led to the lockdown of its 13 million residents.
All domestic flights out of Xian and most trains from the city scheduled for Friday were cancelled, while the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said that 26 people were being held accountable for the failure to control the outbreak.All domestic flights out of Xian and most trains from the city scheduled for Friday were cancelled, while the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said that 26 people were being held accountable for the failure to control the outbreak.
Unvaccinated people in the UK should be offered a free taxi ride to their local clinic, the Liberal Democrats have said, adding that hospitals are “largely [filling] with people who are unvaccinated”.Unvaccinated people in the UK should be offered a free taxi ride to their local clinic, the Liberal Democrats have said, adding that hospitals are “largely [filling] with people who are unvaccinated”.
The party called for the creation of a “vaccine tracing” service to identify unvaccinated people and offer them an appointment slot, with help to get there if needed. Those who are unable to afford or access public transport should be ferried in a taxi, they said.The party called for the creation of a “vaccine tracing” service to identify unvaccinated people and offer them an appointment slot, with help to get there if needed. Those who are unable to afford or access public transport should be ferried in a taxi, they said.
A similar policy is already in place some parts of the country, including in Manchester.A similar policy is already in place some parts of the country, including in Manchester.
Lib Dem health spokeswoman Daisy Cooper said: “The booster programme is critical to protecting us all against Omicron. But the Ggvernment needs to also step up efforts to persuade and support the unvaccinated to get their jabs, to protect themselves and the NHS in the longer term.”Lib Dem health spokeswoman Daisy Cooper said: “The booster programme is critical to protecting us all against Omicron. But the Ggvernment needs to also step up efforts to persuade and support the unvaccinated to get their jabs, to protect themselves and the NHS in the longer term.”
She accused the government of targeting the unvaccinated in a “blame game”, which she said “risks being counterproductive and alienating communities whose trust in this government is already low”.She accused the government of targeting the unvaccinated in a “blame game”, which she said “risks being counterproductive and alienating communities whose trust in this government is already low”.
One in 35 people in England had Covid last week, new figures show, with 1.7 million people testing positive across the UK – the highest number on record so far.One in 35 people in England had Covid last week, new figures show, with 1.7 million people testing positive across the UK – the highest number on record so far.
The figure rises to one in 20 people for London, which has seen the highest number of Omicron cases detected, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.The figure rises to one in 20 people for London, which has seen the highest number of Omicron cases detected, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
In Wales, around one in 45 people had Covid that week, while Scotland’s rate was one in 65 and Northern Ireland’s was one in 40.In Wales, around one in 45 people had Covid that week, while Scotland’s rate was one in 65 and Northern Ireland’s was one in 40.
The data includes people who tested positive outside of hospital or a care setting in the week ending 19 December.The data includes people who tested positive outside of hospital or a care setting in the week ending 19 December.
Russia has reported 24,703 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 horus, Reuters reports.
The country has also registered 998 deaths in the same period of time.
Unions have raised safety concerns about changes to ambulance staffing as an extra 90 military personnel are drafted in to support Scottish health boards.
The contingency plan, first reported by the Courier, would see more ambulances staffed by only one trained medic and a driver, potentially a military one, with breaks also be cut.
The Scottish ambulance service insisted the changes would only happen in “times of extremis only”, but GMB Scotland said staff and the public should be worried.
The military personnel will help NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Grampian and NHS Lanarkshire from January.
Kieran Whitford, a paramedic working in Aberdeen, wrote on Twitter that the changes made staff “feel like we are worth nothing”.
People at risk of becoming seriously ill from coronavirus will have their options for treatment expanded from January after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first two antiviral pills against Covid.
Full report by Eric Berger:
South Africans without Covid symptoms will no longer have to test or self-isolate if a contact tests positive, the government announced on Friday.
The move is part of a shift from containment to mitigation measures, with the health ministry changing the rules to require asymptomatic individuals to monitor their symptoms for five to seven days and avoid attending large gatherings after contact with a positive case.
Only those who develop symptoms must get tested, the statement continued, adding that those with mild symptoms should isolate for eight days and severe cases for 10 days.
The shift also sees the end of quarantine in facilities other than the home. Contact tracing will also be scrapped except in cases like cluster outbreaks.
The ministry attributed the change in policy to the following factors: the emergence of highly infectious variants like Omicron; estimates that at least 60% of the population have some protection from vaccination or infection; and new information including on the high level of asymptomatic cases and small number of actual cases diagnosed.
France will require passengers to show negative Covid tests to travel to its overseas territories.
The new measure will come into effect on 28 December and affect travellers both from mainland France and abroad, the health ministry said.
It comes after the country recorded a daily record of 91,608 Covid cases on Thursday (23 December), with Omicron spreading rapidly across the country.
Bhutan has begun administering booster vaccine doses to older citizens and priority groups in a bid to fight the spread of the Omicron variant, health ministry officials have said.
People aged 65 and above, overseas travellers, health workers, chronically ill people, and all adults living in “high risk” areas were eligible, the officials said.
With a vaccine stock exceeding 250,000 doses, Bhutan plans to inoculate more than 228,000 people in a week, according to the Kuensel newspaper. “As we did for the second dose, mix and match is recommended even for the booster, given its higher efficacy,” Sonam Wangchuk, an official of the Royal Centre for Disease Control, told the newspaper.
More than 93% of over-12s have been vaccinated with two doses in the nation of some 750,000 people.
The kingdom has recorded just three Covid deaths since the pandemic began, while government data shows its tally of infections to stand at 2,659.
The Office for National Statistics has the latest figures on take-up of booster doses in England by occupation.
Around a third of sports players in England (34.1%) are estimated to have received a booster or third dose of Covid-19 vaccine as of 12 December.
Other specific occupations with low take-up of extra doses include plasterers (33.3%), waiters and waitresses (33.4%), chefs (35.0%), bar staff (36.6%), fork-lift truck drivers (37.6%) and vehicle technicians and mechanics (38.2%).
The figures may reflect the order in which people became eligible for a booster or third dose of vaccine, with jabs initially prioritised for older and vulnerable people before being extended to younger age groups.
Austria should offer a fourth vaccine dose to some healthcare staff and other key workers, the National Vaccination Board has said in the wake of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
However, there was not enough evidence to recommend it for the general public, the board said.
“In view of an imminent Omicron wave, (a fourth vaccination) can be offered in high-risk areas (eg exposed healthcare personnel) and in systemically critical areas from six months after the third vaccination,” the board said.
It comes after Austria on Wednesday announced it would bolster restrictions once more from 27 December to deal with the rising tide of Omicron cases. Several hundred have been identified so far in the country, which had its fourth lockdown in November.
Updating its guidelines, the board said that fourth shots could be given “off label” to some groups of key workers following medical consultation. “There is still no evidence that this additional vaccination can prevent infections. However, it can be it can be assumed that serious illnesses can be prevented,” it said.
The UK Health Security Agency’s chief has suggested the government might decide on whether further restrictions are needed in England based on Omicron’s wider impact, rather than the variant’s severity alone.
The risk of hospitalisation is up to 70% less for people with Omicron compared to those infected with Delta, according to the first UK government study of its kind.
Monday is expected to be the first day the government could consider any further restrictions after Boris Johnson said no further measures would be brought in before Christmas.
Asked whether the government will have the information on Monday to make key decisions, Dr Jenny Harries told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Ministers will look at all of the data that we have available - and that isn’t simply what the epidemiology is saying, it’s how it’s impacting society.
“So, for example, we have very high rates of individuals off sick - we know that particularly in London, around one in 35 have currently got Omicron.
“Now that’s having an impact on the workforce. So these are not simply about hospitalisation rates.”
She added that ministers are being kept updated on a daily basis and that will continue throughout the Christmas period. “I don’t think we do know yet that this is going to be a significantly less serious disease for the population – the older population – that we are normally most concerned about in relation to serious disease and death.”
NHS staff are struggling with a “very, very depleted workforce”, the head of the Royal College of Nursing has warned, saying that staff want a course of action that allows them to care for patients safely.
Pat Cullen told BBC Breakfast that nurses and other healthcare workers are “quite ill from the spin-off with Covid”.
“[They] continue to be simply because their internal and personal resources are low going into this because of the number of hours that they’re working and the shifts they’ve been working on a very, very depleted workforce working in a fragile service leading up to this current wave,” she said.
Cullen said staff want leaders to act to “support the health service” in order to allow them to “care for their patients safely … If that means tighter measures, that’s for political leaders to decide based on the scientific evidence.”