Covid News Live: Omicron data expected ‘in days’ as UK buys millions of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines

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Boris Johnson denies breaking Covid rules with 10th birthday party

Scientists will soon expect data regarding how the omicron variant of Covid is transmitted, according to the World Health Organization.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for Covid-19 at the agency, said at a press conference on Wednesday that it is still “very early days” in terms of understanding the new variable, but she insisted that information comes in all the time.

“Expect to [know] More about transmission in days, not necessarily weeks, but in days,” she said, emphasizing the need for ‘all countries’ around the world – of which 23 have so far reported omicron cases – to continue encouraging their populations to get vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the government hastened to sign new contracts for millions of Covid vaccines in light of the new alternative. Health Minister Sajid Javid announced the move on Wednesday night, saying that 60 million shots had been procured from Moderna along with 54 million doses from Pfizer for the next two years and 2023.

Follow our live coverage below

Key PointsShow Last Updated 1638416525 Airlines have requested to keep passenger data from South Africa

Airlines will be required to collect information on US-bound travelers from South Africa in the past two weeks, as federal health officials move to bolster a contact-tracing database.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that this will help prevent “the import and spread of infectious diseases of public importance.”

The CDC order requires airlines to keep information on these passengers for 30 days and pass it on to the CDC within 24 hours if the health authority requests it.

Information such as the passenger’s full name, date of birth, place of residence in the US, email address used regularly, and phone numbers – primary and secondary – will now be saved by airlines.

Additional information such as the passenger’s flight number, seat number, and cities of departure and arrival should also be retained.

These US CDC guidelines will apply to travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe.

Urban Ray December 2, 2021 03:42

1638414000 Britons must ‘test the hell out’ of themselves over Christmas – Hancock

Matt Hancock appeared on ITV’s Peston last night, saying we “have to test ourselves” in order to “keep things open” over the Christmas period.

The former health minister also said it was “really important” that lateral flow tests remain “free”.

“We have lateral flow tests that anyone can take, I took one this morning and then ordered another box of seven. They’re available for free, and it’s really important that they stay free, and the tests,” Hancock told Politics.

Asked if Dr Jenny Harris, head of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), was right to warn against non-essential social interactions, he said: “Saying things like we might need to move forward with working from home is perfectly reasonable. But I don’t think we’re there yet.”

Sam Hancock December 2, 2021 03:00

1638410400 Ask a virologist about the Omicron variant

The country is currently preparing for the coming weeks when the omicron variant could see an increase in new Covid-19 infections across Britain greater than previous waves.

Results of detailed laboratory studies on the omicron are expected in the coming days and weeks, but both the Sage and Nervtag groups cautioned that it was possible that the new alternative could escape immunity from existing vaccines “to some extent”. But what does it all mean?

To help answer questions about the situation we now face with omicron cases confirmed in the UK, an expert in virology will be on this page to answer your questions.

Dr Stephen Griffin, University of Leeds virologist, will answer your questions about the Covid variant in the comments section of the article below tomorrow (December 2) between 1pm and 2pm.

Sam Hancock December 2, 2021 02:00

1638406800JCVI member is “more positive” about Christmas this year than last

Anthony Harnden, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), gave a positive view of the holiday period.

Speaking to Sky News, he said he feels “more positive” about Christmas this year than the situation in 2020 due to vaccinations carrying “a lot of the heavy burden”.

Professor Harden said: “I think if people are vaccinated with the booster and are aware of their precautions – that is social distancing and mask wearing – I don’t see any reason why we can’t enjoy Christmas.”

He said that this was only in danger if “this [omicron] The alternative is taking a turn for the worse.” But he stressed that scientists “will not really know for a few weeks.”

Sam Hancock December 2, 2021 01:00

1638403200 Advisers warn Amicron could fuel biggest wave of pandemics

Leading government scientific advisers have warned that the omicron variant could cause the largest wave of Covid cases yet in the UK if it is allowed to spread unchecked.

Sage advisers have warned that a “very tough response” may be needed from Downing Street, while scientists at the Nervtag Threats Advisory Group said a surge in cases could overwhelm the NHS.

The warnings emerged when nine new cases of the most transmissible omicron variant were identified in England, bringing the total number to 22, according to Adam Forrest and our science correspondent Samuel Lovett.

Sam Hancock December 2, 2021 00:00

1638399587 Ministers buy millions of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines

Sajid Javid announced this evening that the government had approved deals to buy an additional 114 million vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid, saying ministers were quick to sign the new contracts in light of the new omicron alternative.

The deal includes an additional 60 million doses of Moderna and 54 million doses of Pfizer for the next two years and 2023, and will also include access to any modified vaccines if necessary to combat the Ommicron strain or any other variant.

“These new deals will future-proof the great British vaccination effort – which has so far delivered more than 115 million first and second hits and strengthen across the UK – and will ensure we can protect more people in the years to come,” the Health Secretary said in a statement.

So far, nearly 51 million people in the UK have received their first Covid vaccine – nearly 89 per cent of the population over 12 years old – and more than 46 million have received two doses, and around 18.6 million have received booster doses.

Sam Hancock December 1, 2021 22:59

1638397098 Covey says: “Don’t strangers get stuck under the mistletoe this Christmas.

A Cabinet minister has advised Britons not to “rack” people they “don’t know” under the mistletoe this year, to help limit the spread of the new alternative to Omicron Covid.

When asked if she has sided with the government or Dr Jenny Harris over the approach to socializing over the holidays, Therese Coffey, Minister for Work and Pensions at ITV Beeston, said: “We should all try to enjoy Christmas ahead of us.”

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think there must be much rot under the mistletoe,” she joked, explaining: [You] You don’t need to do things like that. ”

She also said the government is “working hard to get as many vaccines out as possible” to allow people to enjoy the festive period.

When she was told she was supporting Dr. Harris, Dr. Covey said, “No, Christmas we should keep planning and having fun.” But, she added, “condescension” to “people you don’t already know” should be avoided.

Kofi has served as Minister of Pensions since 2019

(Piston / ITV)

Sam Hancock December 1, 2021 22:18

1638395545ICYMI: Watch Starmer accuses PM of ‘taking the British as fools’ during Christmas party

Starmer accuses Johnson of ‘taking the British public for fools’

Sam Hancock December 1, 2021 21:52

1638394645 Experts Concerned About Omicron’s Impact On Drugs For At-Risk Patients

Scientists fear that the Omicron coronavirus variant will reduce the effectiveness of key drugs used to treat Covid-19 in high-risk patients.

As with vaccines, it remains unclear how much Omicron will affect the levels of protection offered by lab-made antibodies – a treatment available through the NHS for those people struggling to build a strong immune response against Covid-19.

But due to the large number of mutations in the variant Spike protein, which the antibodies target, it is speculated that this type of therapy may need to be modified to better identify and neutralize the omicron, according to our science correspondent Samuel Lovett.

Sam Hancock December 1, 2021 21:37

1638393325 Hits: Everything we know so far about the Omicron dynasty

Omicron variant: Everything we know so far about the new Covid strain

Sam Hancock December 1, 2021 21:15

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