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Covid: England reports record 117,000 daily cases Covid: England reports record 117,000 daily cases
(about 4 hours later)
Covid cases in England have hit another record high, with a further 117,093 infections reported on Tuesday.Covid cases in England have hit another record high, with a further 117,093 infections reported on Tuesday.
Some 9,546 people are in hospital with Covid, the highest since March but well below the peak of 34,000 in January.Some 9,546 people are in hospital with Covid, the highest since March but well below the peak of 34,000 in January.
So far, the surge in cases driven by Omicron has not led to a similarly sharp rise in hospital admissions, even taking into account the lag between infection and hospital treatment.So far, the surge in cases driven by Omicron has not led to a similarly sharp rise in hospital admissions, even taking into account the lag between infection and hospital treatment.
Full UK-wide Covid data has been unavailable over the Christmas period. Meanwhile, pharmacists have warned of patchy supplies of rapid Covid tests.
The UK government's Covid dashboard recorded a further 129,471 cases on Tuesday - but that figure only includes data from England and Wales and reflects different time periods.The UK government's Covid dashboard recorded a further 129,471 cases on Tuesday - but that figure only includes data from England and Wales and reflects different time periods.
It is likely that a full national picture will only be available again in the first week of January.It is likely that a full national picture will only be available again in the first week of January.
The NHS has set up a fresh drive to encourage more people to get their Covid booster jabs, amid the fast-spreading Omicron variant.The NHS has set up a fresh drive to encourage more people to get their Covid booster jabs, amid the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
The vaccination programme is sending around 650,000 text messages and 50,000 letters to people who have not yet received their booster dose, encouraging them get boosted and have a "jabby new year".The vaccination programme is sending around 650,000 text messages and 50,000 letters to people who have not yet received their booster dose, encouraging them get boosted and have a "jabby new year".
What are the rules for new year?What are the rules for new year?
How many cases are in my areaHow many cases are in my area
Welsh hospitality hit 'far worse' than in England Warnings about the supply of rapid Covid tests - known as lateral flow devices - come after several changes to self-isolation rules.
Sturgeon warns Covid case numbers will rise Those who test positive for Covid can now leave home after seven days - as long as they test negative via lateral flow devices on day six and seven.
And close contacts of positive cases, including those in the same household, can go about their daily lives as normal with a daily negative lateral flow test.
Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association Of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there had been a "very high" demand for lateral flow tests since the changes.
"Every five minutes, approximately, somebody comes into the pharmacy and asks for tests," she said.
"But unfortunately because of the issues around supply being patchy and inconsistent it means that those who come forward for the test don't always get it, which very stressful not just for the pharmacy but also for the patients."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that the delivery capacity for lateral flow testing kits has doubled to 900,000 a day since 18 December, due to unprecedented demand.
Lateral flow tests are also available to order online for delivery through Royal Mail - but the UKHSA has said festive schedules could impact deliveries.
Unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the government has decided against introducing new Covid measures in England ahead of the new year.Unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the government has decided against introducing new Covid measures in England ahead of the new year.
Care minister Gillian Keegan said people in England should enjoy themselves but be cautious when celebrating the new year - suggesting that they should take a lateral flow test before going out and celebrate in well-ventilated areas.
The UK Health Security Agency said that the delivery capacity for lateral flow testing kits has doubled to 900,000 a day since 18 December, due to unprecedented demand.
But the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies said it was frustrated that some of the stores it represented were having to wait several days for deliveries of the testing kits.
And the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is urging the public to be patient with pharmacies, saying they can only order a certain amount of tests a day.
The UKHSA said postal schedules over the Christmas period and demand may have had an impact on deliveries. It said kits could still be ordered on the government website but if they were not immediately available, then people should check back every few hours.
England saw another 1,374 Covid hospital admissions on 26 December - the highest number since February.England saw another 1,374 Covid hospital admissions on 26 December - the highest number since February.
Not all the patients in hospital will have been admitted for Covid - latest data suggests about three in 10 have the virus but were admitted to hospital for something else.Not all the patients in hospital will have been admitted for Covid - latest data suggests about three in 10 have the virus but were admitted to hospital for something else.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said some trust bosses thought self-isolating staff would be a "bigger problem" than the number of people being treated for Covid.Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said some trust bosses thought self-isolating staff would be a "bigger problem" than the number of people being treated for Covid.
And he told the BBC that while there may come a point where Covid is treated like a common cold, that should not be the case for people who work in the NHS, as they dealt with potentially "very, very vulnerable" people.And he told the BBC that while there may come a point where Covid is treated like a common cold, that should not be the case for people who work in the NHS, as they dealt with potentially "very, very vulnerable" people.
There have been calls by some scientists and business leaders for the government to follow the example of US health officials and reduce the isolation period in England for people with asymptomatic Covid, to five days.There have been calls by some scientists and business leaders for the government to follow the example of US health officials and reduce the isolation period in England for people with asymptomatic Covid, to five days.
But a government spokesperson said the current isolation period - which was recently lowered from 10 to seven days - remained "critical for limiting the spread of the virus".But a government spokesperson said the current isolation period - which was recently lowered from 10 to seven days - remained "critical for limiting the spread of the virus".
They said: "There are no further changes to the isolation period planned at this time, but we keep all rules under review based on the latest health data".They said: "There are no further changes to the isolation period planned at this time, but we keep all rules under review based on the latest health data".
Elsewhere, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has hit out at Parkrun after the fun run organisers cancelled its events in Wales following the introduction of fresh Covid restrictions, which mean gatherings cannot happen if more than 50 people attend. In other developments:
In a tweet, Mr Javid said he "can't see how restricting outdoor exercise in this way is justified or proportionate". Matthew Taylor, head of the NHS Confederation, said staff absence "is a huge issue for the NHS right now" on top of 100,000 existing vacancies
The latest figures from Wales suggested a steep rise in cases in the days before Christmas, while infections in Scotland remain among the highest recorded. No cases data has been available for Northern Ireland since 24 December. Health Secretary Sajid Javid criticised fun run organisers Parkrun after it cancelled events in Wales following the introduction of fresh Covid restrictions there
Prof Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, told the BBC's Today programme the decision not to introduce new curbs in England before the new year was "probably fine", with data showing "very low" numbers of vaccinated people in intensive care. The Scottish Parliament is being recalled later for a Covid update from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
He said the Omicron variant was "not the same disease" we saw last year, adding he thought "the horrific scenes that we saw a year ago" were "now history".
Not all experts have agreed with the government's decision though, with Prof Andrew Hayward - epidemiologist and a member of the advisory group Sage - saying ministers seemed to be acting "on the optimistic end of the spectrum".
Omicron: What we knowOmicron: What we know
This variant is very contagious and spreads faster than othersThis variant is very contagious and spreads faster than others
Vaccines and boosters are still essential and do a great job at protecting against severe diseaseVaccines and boosters are still essential and do a great job at protecting against severe disease
It is milder - if you catch it, the risk of needing hospital treatment is up to 70% lower than with previous variants - but that is largely because many of us have built up immunity from vaccines and past infections rather than changes to the virusIt is milder - if you catch it, the risk of needing hospital treatment is up to 70% lower than with previous variants - but that is largely because many of us have built up immunity from vaccines and past infections rather than changes to the virus
Read more here.Read more here.
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