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Covid: UK cases reach record again as PM urges New Year's Eve caution Covid: UK cases reach record again as PM urges New Year's Eve caution
(about 2 hours later)
The UK is in an "incomparably better" position than this time last year - but people should stay cautious when out on New Year's Eve, the PM has said.The UK is in an "incomparably better" position than this time last year - but people should stay cautious when out on New Year's Eve, the PM has said.
In a year-end message, Boris Johnson hailed the "heroic" vaccination effort, adding that all adults in England had now been offered a booster jab.In a year-end message, Boris Johnson hailed the "heroic" vaccination effort, adding that all adults in England had now been offered a booster jab.
The PM urged those celebrating tonight to take a Covid test and "remember the importance of ventilation".The PM urged those celebrating tonight to take a Covid test and "remember the importance of ventilation".
UK daily Covid cases reached another record high of 189,846 on Friday.UK daily Covid cases reached another record high of 189,846 on Friday.
There were also 203 deaths reported within 28 days of a positive test.There were also 203 deaths reported within 28 days of a positive test.
And hospital admissions were up to 1,915 in the most recent figures available, from 27 December, up from 1,506 the previous day. And daily hospital admissions were up to 1,915 in the most recent figures available, from 27 December, compared with 1,506 the previous day.
New Year's Eve celebrations are set to be scaled back across much of the country as the more infectious Omicron variant drives up cases. However, the overall number of Covid patients in hospital only rose by 20, suggesting the number of patients admitted was broadly similar to the number being discharged.
Events have been cancelled, including the traditional Trafalgar Square party in London and Edinburgh's Hogmanay events. New Year's Eve celebrations are set to be scaled back across much of the country as the more infectious Omicron variant continues to drive up cases.
Mr Johnson resisted calls to impose new regulations in England in the run-up to Christmas, but in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, tighter rules are now in place for pubs, bars and restaurants, and there are restrictions on how many people can meet. Mr Johnson resisted calls to impose new regulations in England in the run-up to new year, but in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, tighter rules are now in place for pubs, bars and restaurants, and there are restrictions on how many people can meet.
Events, including the traditional Trafalgar Square party in London and Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations, have been cancelled.
Amid warnings people should celebrate outdoors or in well-ventilated places, the Met Office said the UK was experiencing the warmest New Year's Eve on record - with Merryfield in Somerset recording a temperature of 15.8C (60.4F).Amid warnings people should celebrate outdoors or in well-ventilated places, the Met Office said the UK was experiencing the warmest New Year's Eve on record - with Merryfield in Somerset recording a temperature of 15.8C (60.4F).
How many people can get together at New Year? 'I've done everything asked of me'
How can I tell I have Omicron? Benjamin Smith, from London, told the BBC he would be heading out to celebrate the new year, despite not often doing so in the past.
NHS Covid app sends record number of 'pings' "I've had three jabs and recently recovered from an Omicron infection," he said, adding he would be going to a music event requiring proof of vaccination.
Calls for NHS staff priority for rapid Covid tests "I work in the events sector. We have had a torrid time of it throughout the pandemic, and I was effectively banned from doing my job for 15 months.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it had met the goal set by the prime minister earlier this month for all eligible adults in England to be offered a Covid booster by 31 December. The target had been brought forward in response to the Omicron variant. "I've done everything asked of me, and now is the time to do away with rules and allow people to make their own decisions. We can't be so averse to risk forever. "
More than 90% of the UK population aged 12 and over have now received a first dose of a vaccine, it added. Joanne Hopton from South Derbyshire, agrees. She will be joining friends at the local pub for a meal and to hear some music.
"We were worried before Christmas about a lockdown, but are really pleased this hasn't come about."
Joanne says she is fully vaccinated and has had her booster, and is currently taking lateral flow tests every day "as I have had a cold".
"I have followed all the advice, all the rules, got vaccinated - all so we can get on with life. To lock down now would be cruel," she adds.
But Peter, from Shropshire, plans to stay home and enjoy "the simple pleasures of life".
"One night in the year is no big deal! We don't need to have masses of drink or people to be happy."
The Department of Health and Social Care said it had met the goal set by the prime minister earlier this month for all eligible adults in England to be offered a Covid booster by 31 December.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also said they had met the booster target.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also said they had met the booster target.
More than 90% of the UK population aged 12 and over have now received a first dose of a vaccine, it added.
The boosters work: it looks like a third dose better than halves your chances of catching a case of Omicron that puts you in hospital.The boosters work: it looks like a third dose better than halves your chances of catching a case of Omicron that puts you in hospital.
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of everyone behind the vaccine rollout, nearly 30% of people with two doses are yet to receive a booster.Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of everyone behind the vaccine rollout, nearly 30% of people with two doses are yet to receive a booster.
And while Omicron looks to be roughly one-third as severe as Delta, cases are already three times higher than they were before the latest variant arrived.And while Omicron looks to be roughly one-third as severe as Delta, cases are already three times higher than they were before the latest variant arrived.
And Plan B restrictions haven't checked Omicron, so we could see numbers run higher still.And Plan B restrictions haven't checked Omicron, so we could see numbers run higher still.
We should prepare for rises in admissions, baked in by current case figures; more than a million cases were reported in the last week. We should prepare for rises in admissions, baked in by current case figures; more than a million cases were reported in the past week.
We're already seeing those effects in England, where slightly more current data show sharp rises in admissions.We're already seeing those effects in England, where slightly more current data show sharp rises in admissions.
Things are looking far, far better than they did last December - but the coming weeks will not be easy.Things are looking far, far better than they did last December - but the coming weeks will not be easy.
Speaking in a message posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson said "incredible" numbers of people had responded to the call to get vaccinated, adding: "It's precisely because of that huge national effort that we can celebrate tonight at all." In a message posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson said "incredible" numbers of people had responded to the call to get vaccinated, but warned of the "challenges" of Omicron and rising hospital admissions.
But he warned of the "challenges" of Omicron and rising hospital admissions.
He said people must be cautious, take a test and "remember the importance of ventilation" if they are going out, urging those who are not fully vaccinated to make it their new year's resolution to have a jab.
More than 33.5 million booster and third doses have now been delivered in the UK - to about 58% of those eligible - including 1.8 million in the past seven days.
Analysis of the Omicron variant has shown people who catch it are up to 70% less likely to need hospital treatment compared with other variants.Analysis of the Omicron variant has shown people who catch it are up to 70% less likely to need hospital treatment compared with other variants.
But Prof Peter Openshaw, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), told BBC Breakfast he was concerned about the impact of surging Covid cases on the health service, saying: "I think we haven't quite reached the threshold that was set by government in terms of the NHS being overwhelmed, but it looks like that will be reached quite quickly." But NHS leaders have stressed that staff sickness is adding to pressures on the health service, with absences in England up by 42% in the week ending 26 December.
NHS leaders have stressed that staff absence is adding to pressures on the health service, with 25,273 staff in acute trusts in England off each day because of Covid in the week ending 26 December - up by 42% on the previous seven days. "I think we haven't quite reached the threshold that was set by government in terms of the NHS being overwhelmed, but it looks like that will be reached quite quickly," Prof Peter Openshaw, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), told BBC Breakfast.
Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, which represents health trusts, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "Nightingale capacity hubs" being set up at hospitals could only be staffed by asking recently retired health workers and experienced volunteers to help out. Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, warned more restrictions to curb the spread of the virus "may be needed at pace if the evidence warrants it".
More restrictions to curb the spread of the virus "may be needed at pace if the evidence warrants it", he added.
In other developments:In other developments:
New ONS figures show nearly 2.3 million people in the UK - about one in 30 - would have tested positive for Covid in the week ending 23 DecemberNew ONS figures show nearly 2.3 million people in the UK - about one in 30 - would have tested positive for Covid in the week ending 23 December
In London, the rate has doubled to around one in 15 people compared with the previous seven daysIn London, the rate has doubled to around one in 15 people compared with the previous seven days
An antiviral pill to treat Covid - Paxlovid - has been approved for use across the UK, the medicines regulator saysAn antiviral pill to treat Covid - Paxlovid - has been approved for use across the UK, the medicines regulator says
There have been calls for NHS staff to be given priority for lateral flow tests from healthcare unions There have been calls for NHS staff to be given priority for lateral flow tests from healthcare unions, with pharmacists reporting that supply remains "patchy"
Health Secretary Sajid Javid says the government expects to need to "constrain" supply of the rapid tests for two weeks to manage demand, but the number is being tripled to 300 million a monthHealth Secretary Sajid Javid says the government expects to need to "constrain" supply of the rapid tests for two weeks to manage demand, but the number is being tripled to 300 million a month
A representative of pharmacists has said lateral flows kits are beginning to arrive but supply is "still patchy"
A major retailer has told the BBC if the shortage of kits is not sorted by next week, it could lead to 1,600 lost days in January because of its staff having to quarantine for longer.A major retailer has told the BBC if the shortage of kits is not sorted by next week, it could lead to 1,600 lost days in January because of its staff having to quarantine for longer.
In his new year message, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK needed leadership to ensure the "sacrifices and pain of the past two years" had not been in vain, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he hoped 2022 would be "the year we will finally beat Covid".
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said New Year's Eve was "not the Hogmanay" people wanted, but they could look forward to a "better and brighter new year ahead".
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has asked those travelling to England to see in the New Year to "think consciously and carefully" about their plans.
And in Northern Ireland, new reduced self-isolation rules allowing people with Covid to be released after seven days if they test negative twice on days six and seven, have come into force.
What are your New Year's Eve plans? Will you be going ahead or have you cancelled your plans? Tell us your story by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.What are your New Year's Eve plans? Will you be going ahead or have you cancelled your plans? Tell us your story by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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