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UK reports 89,176 new cases and 277 deaths – as it happened | |
(32 minutes later) | |
UK cases and deaths fall day-on-day; Hong Kong government to compensate pet shops affected by culling of hamsters for Covid reasons | |
On Friday, 89,176 new cases of coronavirus and 277 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported in the UK, official statistics show. That compares with 96,871 cases and 338 deaths recorded a day earlier. | On Friday, 89,176 new cases of coronavirus and 277 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported in the UK, official statistics show. That compares with 96,871 cases and 338 deaths recorded a day earlier. |
Since early January, the number of confirmed Covid cases had been falling in the UK. But in recent days, the caseload has plateaued, with daily tallies hovering at about 90,000 cases. | Since early January, the number of confirmed Covid cases had been falling in the UK. But in recent days, the caseload has plateaued, with daily tallies hovering at about 90,000 cases. |
Should we be concerned? In some ways, this levelling-off is unsurprising. Booster jabs have been rapidly rolled out, and that partly explains why the Omicron wave peaked earlier this month. A recent booster reduces the chance of infection by close to three-quarters. | Should we be concerned? In some ways, this levelling-off is unsurprising. Booster jabs have been rapidly rolled out, and that partly explains why the Omicron wave peaked earlier this month. A recent booster reduces the chance of infection by close to three-quarters. |
Secondly, at the start of the year, people weren’t mixing as much. Data from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggested that adults made just 2.7 contacts a day at the start of December, down from 3.5 in September. | Secondly, at the start of the year, people weren’t mixing as much. Data from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggested that adults made just 2.7 contacts a day at the start of December, down from 3.5 in September. |
As people have returned to work and school, social mixing has gone up, making infections more likely. Particularly high levels are now being seen in children. | As people have returned to work and school, social mixing has gone up, making infections more likely. Particularly high levels are now being seen in children. |
That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose, and indeed the global Covid blog for this evening. | |
For all your latest coronavirus news, click here. Thank you for following along today and have a lovely weekend. | |
Police in Canada’s capital have called in reinforcements as a planned anti-vaccine mandate protest began to swell in numbers. | Police in Canada’s capital have called in reinforcements as a planned anti-vaccine mandate protest began to swell in numbers. |
Several thousand people are expected in Ottawa as part of group demanding an end to vaccine mandates and Covid restrictions. Some of the group’s leaders are calling for a peaceful event, but statements from some associated with the group have included threats of violence. | Several thousand people are expected in Ottawa as part of group demanding an end to vaccine mandates and Covid restrictions. Some of the group’s leaders are calling for a peaceful event, but statements from some associated with the group have included threats of violence. |
Ottawa police are working with national security agencies to identify any potential threats to public safety, chief Peter Sloly said during a press briefing on Friday. | Ottawa police are working with national security agencies to identify any potential threats to public safety, chief Peter Sloly said during a press briefing on Friday. |
“Even during the course of this conference call we’ve had new intelligence coming in regards to local threats,” he said. | “Even during the course of this conference call we’ve had new intelligence coming in regards to local threats,” he said. |
A top parliament security official has warned lawmakers to lock their doors amid reports their private homes may be targeted, the Associated Press reported. | A top parliament security official has warned lawmakers to lock their doors amid reports their private homes may be targeted, the Associated Press reported. |
Trucks and cars began rolling into downtown Ottawa at midday on Friday, as a planned anti-vaccine mandate protest grew. They have set up in the streets around Parliament Hill for the weekend – and possibly longer. | Trucks and cars began rolling into downtown Ottawa at midday on Friday, as a planned anti-vaccine mandate protest grew. They have set up in the streets around Parliament Hill for the weekend – and possibly longer. |
Vehicles lined the north side of the main street outside, far past the parliament buildings. Thus far the atmosphere has been generally party-like with some setting up barbecues on the sidewalk, and many honking horns, playing instruments and blaring music. | Vehicles lined the north side of the main street outside, far past the parliament buildings. Thus far the atmosphere has been generally party-like with some setting up barbecues on the sidewalk, and many honking horns, playing instruments and blaring music. |
The US government has procured more than 100m additional Covid tests from test maker iHealth Lab as part of the White House’s plan to distribute 500 million free at-home tests across the country, the Department of Defense said on Friday. | The US government has procured more than 100m additional Covid tests from test maker iHealth Lab as part of the White House’s plan to distribute 500 million free at-home tests across the country, the Department of Defense said on Friday. |
Starting in January, the US government has been allowing households to order four free at-home Covid tests from the website COVIDTests.gov with shipping expected within seven to 12 days of ordering. | Starting in January, the US government has been allowing households to order four free at-home Covid tests from the website COVIDTests.gov with shipping expected within seven to 12 days of ordering. |
The batch of free tests are aimed at easing a shortage of tests across the country amid increased demand during the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. | The batch of free tests are aimed at easing a shortage of tests across the country amid increased demand during the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. |
Reuters reported earlier this month that the White House plans to purchase an additional 500m tests on top of its initial purchase to increase test availability. | Reuters reported earlier this month that the White House plans to purchase an additional 500m tests on top of its initial purchase to increase test availability. |
Brazil reported 269,968 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 799 deaths due to Covid, data from the country’s health ministry showed on Friday. | Brazil reported 269,968 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 799 deaths due to Covid, data from the country’s health ministry showed on Friday. |
The South American country has now registered 25,034,806 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 625,884. | The South American country has now registered 25,034,806 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 625,884. |
Omicron, the highly contagious coronavirus variant sweeping across the country, is driving the daily US death toll higher than during last fall’s Delta wave, with deaths likely to keep rising for days or even weeks. | Omicron, the highly contagious coronavirus variant sweeping across the country, is driving the daily US death toll higher than during last fall’s Delta wave, with deaths likely to keep rising for days or even weeks. |
The seven-day rolling average for daily new Covid deaths in the US has been climbing since mid-November, reaching 2,267 on Thursday and surpassing a September peak of 2,100 when Delta was the dominant variant, the Associated Press reported. | The seven-day rolling average for daily new Covid deaths in the US has been climbing since mid-November, reaching 2,267 on Thursday and surpassing a September peak of 2,100 when Delta was the dominant variant, the Associated Press reported. |
Now Omicron is estimated to account for nearly all the virus circulating in the nation. And even though it causes less severe disease for most people, the fact that it is more transmissible means more people are falling ill and dying. | Now Omicron is estimated to account for nearly all the virus circulating in the nation. And even though it causes less severe disease for most people, the fact that it is more transmissible means more people are falling ill and dying. |
“Omicron will push us over a million deaths,” said Andrew Noymer, a public health professor at the University of California, Irvine. “That will cause a lot of soul-searching. There will be a lot of discussion about what we could have done differently, how many of the deaths were preventable.” | “Omicron will push us over a million deaths,” said Andrew Noymer, a public health professor at the University of California, Irvine. “That will cause a lot of soul-searching. There will be a lot of discussion about what we could have done differently, how many of the deaths were preventable.” |
Omicron symptoms are often milder, and some infected people show no symptoms, researchers agree. But like the flu, it can be deadly, especially for people who are older, have other health problems or who are unvaccinated. | Omicron symptoms are often milder, and some infected people show no symptoms, researchers agree. But like the flu, it can be deadly, especially for people who are older, have other health problems or who are unvaccinated. |
“Importantly, ‘milder’ does not mean ‘mild”,’ Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this week during a White House briefing. | “Importantly, ‘milder’ does not mean ‘mild”,’ Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this week during a White House briefing. |
Requiring three doses for full Covid vaccination would “send a clear signal that it is essential, rather than simply a matter of choice and personal responsibility”, a member of a World Health Organization advisory group said. | Requiring three doses for full Covid vaccination would “send a clear signal that it is essential, rather than simply a matter of choice and personal responsibility”, a member of a World Health Organization advisory group said. |
Though the national cabinet is still awaiting advice from Australia’s independent expert group on vaccination, Atagi, as to whether people should only be considered fully vaccinated against Covid after three doses, the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, had been pre-empting Atagi’s advice. | Though the national cabinet is still awaiting advice from Australia’s independent expert group on vaccination, Atagi, as to whether people should only be considered fully vaccinated against Covid after three doses, the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, had been pre-empting Atagi’s advice. |
“International evidence, our own experience, the views of experts and hopefully the confirmation of both Atagi and national cabinet later today will mean that everyone knows and understands that this is a three-dose project,” he said on Thursday. | “International evidence, our own experience, the views of experts and hopefully the confirmation of both Atagi and national cabinet later today will mean that everyone knows and understands that this is a three-dose project,” he said on Thursday. |
Given Atagi is yet to release its advice, the matter was not settled at a meeting of the national cabinet later that day. | Given Atagi is yet to release its advice, the matter was not settled at a meeting of the national cabinet later that day. |
But on Friday the New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, backed Andrews, saying he thought the proposal “makes sense”, and that even without a decision by the national cabinet three doses should be required to be “up to date” with vaccination. | But on Friday the New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, backed Andrews, saying he thought the proposal “makes sense”, and that even without a decision by the national cabinet three doses should be required to be “up to date” with vaccination. |
In England, an intensive care doctor who challenged the health secretary, Sajid Javid, over compulsory Covid vaccines for NHS staff has launched a legal bid against the government to end the policy. | In England, an intensive care doctor who challenged the health secretary, Sajid Javid, over compulsory Covid vaccines for NHS staff has launched a legal bid against the government to end the policy. |
Dr Steve James, who is unvaccinated and works as an anaesthetist at King’s College hospital, is seeking a judicial review with seven other medical professionals. It would look at the lawfulness of the decision to require health professionals to be jabbed. | Dr Steve James, who is unvaccinated and works as an anaesthetist at King’s College hospital, is seeking a judicial review with seven other medical professionals. It would look at the lawfulness of the decision to require health professionals to be jabbed. |
The government directive requires all NHS staff in England who have direct contact with patients to get two Covid-19 vaccinations by 1 April or risk losing their jobs. However, critics have argued that imposing a deadline could lead to staff shortages. | The government directive requires all NHS staff in England who have direct contact with patients to get two Covid-19 vaccinations by 1 April or risk losing their jobs. However, critics have argued that imposing a deadline could lead to staff shortages. |
Covid-free for almost two years, some Pacific island nations are suddenly struggling with an explosion in cases as the virus, thought in most cases to be the more transmissible variant Omicron, breaches the defences they had so successfully put up since the beginning of the pandemic. | Covid-free for almost two years, some Pacific island nations are suddenly struggling with an explosion in cases as the virus, thought in most cases to be the more transmissible variant Omicron, breaches the defences they had so successfully put up since the beginning of the pandemic. |
Kiribati, Samoa, Palau and Solomon Islands have all experienced outbreaks within the last three weeks. The countries have approached the arrival of the virus with different strategies, some imposing lockdowns while others rely on their high levels of vaccination for protection. | Kiribati, Samoa, Palau and Solomon Islands have all experienced outbreaks within the last three weeks. The countries have approached the arrival of the virus with different strategies, some imposing lockdowns while others rely on their high levels of vaccination for protection. |
Given their remoteness and the fragility of health systems there are nevertheless concerns about how they will cope, with many locals fearful. | Given their remoteness and the fragility of health systems there are nevertheless concerns about how they will cope, with many locals fearful. |
Hello. I’m Tom Ambrose and I’ll be bringing you all the latest Covid news from around the world over the next couple of hours. | Hello. I’m Tom Ambrose and I’ll be bringing you all the latest Covid news from around the world over the next couple of hours. |
We start with the news that Russia’s Covid deaths passed the 700,000 mark on Friday, according to Reuters’ calculations, based on new data from the Rosstat state statistics service. | We start with the news that Russia’s Covid deaths passed the 700,000 mark on Friday, according to Reuters’ calculations, based on new data from the Rosstat state statistics service. |
Rosstat said on Friday that 54,630 people died from Covid or related causes in December, after monthly coronavirus deaths hit a record high of nearly 90,000 in November and made Russia the country with the second highest number of deaths in the world after the United States. | Rosstat said on Friday that 54,630 people died from Covid or related causes in December, after monthly coronavirus deaths hit a record high of nearly 90,000 in November and made Russia the country with the second highest number of deaths in the world after the United States. |
This meant Russia’s overall pandemic death toll reached 701,703, according to Reuters’ calculations based on Rosstat figures up to the end of December and data from the coronavirus task force for January. | This meant Russia’s overall pandemic death toll reached 701,703, according to Reuters’ calculations based on Rosstat figures up to the end of December and data from the coronavirus task force for January. |
The fast spreading Omicron variant has not yet significantly affected the Russian death toll. The number of daily infections started to surge in January. | The fast spreading Omicron variant has not yet significantly affected the Russian death toll. The number of daily infections started to surge in January. |
Russia reported 98,040 new daily infections on Friday, a new record high for the eighth consecutive day, the coronavirus task force said. | Russia reported 98,040 new daily infections on Friday, a new record high for the eighth consecutive day, the coronavirus task force said. |
Reuters’ calculations also showed Russia recorded more than 895,000 excess deaths since the beginning of the outbreak in April 2020 to the end of December, when compared to average mortality in 2015-2019. | Reuters’ calculations also showed Russia recorded more than 895,000 excess deaths since the beginning of the outbreak in April 2020 to the end of December, when compared to average mortality in 2015-2019. |
Summary | Summary |
Here are the key events from today so far: | Here are the key events from today so far: |
Germany said the Omicron surge is “under control”, despite record infections. On Thursday, new daily cases topped 200,000 for the first time. On Friday, the infection rate reached another record of 1,073 new cases per 100,000 residents in a week. | Germany said the Omicron surge is “under control”, despite record infections. On Thursday, new daily cases topped 200,000 for the first time. On Friday, the infection rate reached another record of 1,073 new cases per 100,000 residents in a week. |
The UK reported 89,176 new cases and 277 Covid-linked deaths. That compares with 96,871 cases and 338 deaths recorded a day earlier. Since early January, the number of confirmed Covid cases had been falling in the UK. But in recent days, the caseload has plateaued, with daily tallies hovering at about 90,000 cases. | The UK reported 89,176 new cases and 277 Covid-linked deaths. That compares with 96,871 cases and 338 deaths recorded a day earlier. Since early January, the number of confirmed Covid cases had been falling in the UK. But in recent days, the caseload has plateaued, with daily tallies hovering at about 90,000 cases. |
England’s R number has dipped to between 0.7 and 0.9. Last week, the figure was estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.1, while it was 1.1-1.5 in the week before that. | England’s R number has dipped to between 0.7 and 0.9. Last week, the figure was estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.1, while it was 1.1-1.5 in the week before that. |
Hong Kong’s government has offered to compensate pet shops after ordering a cull last week of more than 2,000 hamsters for Covid reasons. The city’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it would offer them a one-off payment of up to HK$30,000 (£2870). | Hong Kong’s government has offered to compensate pet shops after ordering a cull last week of more than 2,000 hamsters for Covid reasons. The city’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it would offer them a one-off payment of up to HK$30,000 (£2870). |
Italy has reported 143,898 Covid-related cases today, compared with 155,697 the day before, the health ministry said. The number of deaths fell to 378 from 389. | Italy has reported 143,898 Covid-related cases today, compared with 155,697 the day before, the health ministry said. The number of deaths fell to 378 from 389. |
Scientists have said Boris Johnson’s failure to take enough action to get jabs to the 3 billion unvaccinated people worldwide means new variants will put thousands of lives at risk in the UK. | Scientists have said Boris Johnson’s failure to take enough action to get jabs to the 3 billion unvaccinated people worldwide means new variants will put thousands of lives at risk in the UK. |
Sweden has decided against recommending Covid vaccines for children aged five to 11, the country’s health agency said, arguing that the benefits did not outweigh the risks. | Sweden has decided against recommending Covid vaccines for children aged five to 11, the country’s health agency said, arguing that the benefits did not outweigh the risks. |
Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said on Friday six lab studies showed that their experimental oral Covid-19 drug, molnupiravir, was active against the Omicron variant. The UK became the first country to approve the antiviral molnupiravir in November last year. | Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said on Friday six lab studies showed that their experimental oral Covid-19 drug, molnupiravir, was active against the Omicron variant. The UK became the first country to approve the antiviral molnupiravir in November last year. |
The NHS is set to prescribe the antiviral pill Paxlovid for high-risk Covid patients from next month. This is a valuable breakthrough for people with weakened immune systems, who may not get maximum protection from vaccines. High-risk patients include those who are immunocompromised, cancer patients and those with Down’s syndrome. | The NHS is set to prescribe the antiviral pill Paxlovid for high-risk Covid patients from next month. This is a valuable breakthrough for people with weakened immune systems, who may not get maximum protection from vaccines. High-risk patients include those who are immunocompromised, cancer patients and those with Down’s syndrome. |
Theresa May has broken her silence on “partygate” to express her anger and expectation of full accountability. In a letter to her local newspaper, the Maidenhead Advertiser, she wrote: “It is vital that those who set the rules, follow the rules … This is important for ensuring the necessary degree of trust between the public and government.” | Theresa May has broken her silence on “partygate” to express her anger and expectation of full accountability. In a letter to her local newspaper, the Maidenhead Advertiser, she wrote: “It is vital that those who set the rules, follow the rules … This is important for ensuring the necessary degree of trust between the public and government.” |
Claims shared on social media, including by the former Brexit secretary David Davis, that the true number of deaths in England and Wales caused by Covid could be 17,000 have been debunked as “spurious” and factually incorrect by the Office for National Statistics. | Claims shared on social media, including by the former Brexit secretary David Davis, that the true number of deaths in England and Wales caused by Covid could be 17,000 have been debunked as “spurious” and factually incorrect by the Office for National Statistics. |
That’s all from me, Georgina Quach. My colleague Tom Ambrose will be here shortly to continue our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks for following along and I wish you all a restful weekend. | That’s all from me, Georgina Quach. My colleague Tom Ambrose will be here shortly to continue our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks for following along and I wish you all a restful weekend. |