The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is increasing significantly, it has been warned, with one hospital suspending visitors “due to health and safety concerns”. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the council at the British Medical Association, told Sky News: “What’s concerning is that we are seeing significant increases in people in hospital. “In
UK
Boris Johnson has used his New Year’s message to claim that the UK finds itself in an “incomparably better” position than this time last year when it comes to coronavirus. In a message that will be posted on social media on Friday, the prime minister will say the country has met its target of offering
Leading scientists have warned that ongoing shortages of COVID tests across the UK are a “great concern” ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. In recent days there have been widespread shortages of lateral flow and PCR tests for delivery on the government’s portal, with no PCRs available across the UK this morning. Health Secretary Sajid
A number of new Nightingale “surge hubs” are to be set up around England as the NHS goes on a “war footing” in preparation for a wave of Omicron hospital admissions. Eight locations with capacity for 100 patients will be set up, with work beginning this week, NHS England has said. More sites have also
More than 90% of community COVID cases in England are now Omicron, according to latest data. As it is now by far the dominant variant, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it would stop providing Omicron-specific daily updates from 31 December. Today, another 39,923 Omicron cases have been detected across the UK – the
The social care system in England is not fit for purpose and “may as well be handing over children directly to ruthless gangs and criminals”, according to a leading children’s rights campaigner. Anne Longfield, a former children’s commissioner for England, says some teenagers taken into care to safeguard them from county lines and criminal exploitation
The government has said it will not be introducing any fresh COVID restrictions in England this side of new year – despite the record rise in reported cases over the weekend. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said people should “remain cautious” when taking part in New Year’s celebrations – and take a lateral flow test before
Australia have retained The Ashes after winning the third test in Melbourne to take an unassailable three-nil lead in the five match series. Australia won by an innings and 14 runs as England’s batsmen crumbled in the face of their pace attack, collapsing to 69 all out in the second innings. The five match series
Metropolitan Police are investigating a video reportedly linked to a teenager who was arrested at Windsor Castle while in possession of a crossbow on Christmas Day. The clip, obtained by The Sun newspaper, appears to show a masked figure holding a crossbow, saying he will “attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the Royal Family” in
More than 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccination appointments are now available between today and 3 January, as the government continues its booster jab drive to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant. Over 60% of UK adults have now received a top up, but the NHS’s top doctor has put out a fresh call asking those
“Blizzard conditions” could hit northern parts of the UK over higher ground on Sunday, forecasters have said, as heavy rain and snow are also expected in some regions. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow until midday in parts of northern England, as well as southern and central Scotland. The most severe
The NHS’s most senior doctor is calling upon those yet to receive their booster COVID-19 vaccination to urgently come forward for their third jab. NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis has said “there is no time to lose” for those still yet to top up their protection as the Omicron variant continues to spread
The Queen is again breaking with tradition due to COVID and will spend Christmas Day at Windsor. Her Majesty made the decision not to travel to Sandringham in Norfolk earlier this week and will instead be joined by family members at Windsor Castle. It’s the second year that she has stayed at Windsor. Last year
The UK has recorded 122,186 new cases of coronavirus and a further 137 deaths, the latest daily figures show. It is the highest number of new infections reported since the beginning of the pandemic. Yesterday there were 119,789 cases and 147 fatalities within 28 days of a positive test recorded. Seven days ago there were
An estimated 1.7 million people had coronavirus across the UK last week, the highest number since comparable records began last year, new figures suggest. The new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data covers people who tested positive for COVID-19 outside hospital or a care setting during the week ending 19 December. In England there were
The Queen is expected to deliver a particularly personal Christmas Day message as she prepares for her first festive period since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Buckingham Palace has released a photograph of the monarch taken during the recording of her annual festive address, filmed last week, showing her sitting behind a desk