Covid Omicron news live: Latest updates as UK daily cases top 106,000

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Covid around the world: How Omicron affects the holidays

Two new studies suggested that omicron is less likely than the delta variant to lead to severe illness and hospitalization.

Research from Imperial College London found that people who tested positive for Omicron were up to 20 less likely to be admitted to hospital. They also have a 40 percent lower chance of needing to stay one night or more.

However, Professor Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist involved in the study, tempered the findings – which have not yet been reviewed – by warning that Omicron’s ability to evade the vaccine could “compensate” for the lower risk of hospitalization.

Meanwhile, Chris Hobson, chief executive of NHS Providers, cautioned that we still did not have “conclusive” data on the impact of Omicron on hospital treatment.

“We have some very early studies, but it’s a bit like trying to predict the outcome of a football match when you’re only a third of the way through,” he said.

His comment comes as the United Kingdom reported 10,6,122 daily cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, increasing pressure on the government to impose further restrictions.

South Korea records the highest daily death toll from Covid-19

South Korea said 109 people have died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest number of deaths in a single day.

This brings the total death toll in the country to 5,015.

Officials have warned that the Omicron variant will soon become the dominant strain, with cases rising and hospitalizations increasing.

According to the government, a record 1,083 South Koreans infected with Covid-19 are currently in critical condition.

Amid concerns about the new strain, private gatherings have been limited to four people and restaurants and cafes must close at 9pm.

Rory Sullivan Dec 23, 2021 09:36

1640251209 Action requires more clarity from government on COVID response

Labor has demanded “more clarity” from the government about its plan to stem the spread of Omicron.

Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said ministers should be more open about the data and should explain what action would be taken if certain thresholds were crossed.

“Because right now, I think a lot of people feel like they’re stabbing in the dark,” she told Sky News.

“If you run a nightclub, can you stock up on it for the New Year? If (you) have had Christmas parties or run a theater, if you have some travel plans, if you have friends and families coming over to stay after Christmas — what can you expect? people based on what information?”

Rory Sullivan Dec 23, 2021 09:20

1640250317 Government scientific advisor says amicron is not “necessarily” milder in older adults

A government scientific advisor said findings from early studies that the Omicron variant is milder than Delta do not “necessarily” apply to older adults.

Professor Andrew Hayward, an epidemiologist and Nervtag member, said the severity of the disease appeared to be lower mainly in young adults.

But he added, “I think what we can’t necessarily extrapolate is the level of reduction in severity that we might see in the elderly, and we also know that the risk of serious disease throughout the epidemic in the elderly has always been exponentially high.”

Prof Hayward also warned that the NHS was “extremely stressful” and the pressure on the health services would only get worse.

Rory Sullivan Dec 23, 2021 09:05

Tony Blair admits it is ‘undiplomatic’ to call unvaccinated people ‘idiots’

Tony Blair caused a stir yesterday when he called unvaccinated people “idiots”.

He then admitted that his choice of wording was “undiplomatic”.

Tony Blair says calling unvaccinated people ‘idiots’ was ‘undiplomatic’

Rory Sullivan Dec 23, 2021 08:41

1640247950 Data on Omicron and hospitalizations not ‘conclusive’, warns NHS chief

Chris Hobson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said we still did not have “conclusive” data on the impact of Omicron on hospital treatment.

“We have some very early studies, but it’s a bit like trying to predict the outcome of a football match when it’s only a third of the way through,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

He said the lack of staff threatened the NHS’s ability to deal with the Omicron wave, adding that 12 per cent of London Ambulance Service staff were currently ill.

Rory Sullivan Dec 23, 2021 08:25

1640246782 The Prime Minister “paralyzed” postpones taking a decision on further Covid measures

Boris Johnson will not make a decision on further coronavirus restrictions until after Christmas, leading some to blame an internal ministerial row for the impasse.

It comes amid rising infection rates in the UK, which have surged after the arrival of the new variant from Omicron.

“I think the UK government is in a state of paralysis about all of this,” said Welsh Minister Mark Drakeford, as he announced that stricter measures would come into effect in Wales from Boxing Day.

Here’s a report from Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick:

Rory Sullivan Dec 23, 2021 08:06

1640245756 The UK, US and EU get more vaccines in six weeks than Africa this year

The UK, US and EU have received more Covid-19 doses in the past six weeks than all countries in Africa combined in 2021, according to the People’s Vaccine Alliance (PVA).

The charity-led initiative said 513 million new doses reached the UK, US and EU between November 11 and December 21, while only 500 million doses have been made available in Africa this year.

Anna Marriott, Oxfam and PVA’s director of health policy, said rich nations’ decision to block a vaccine patent waiver “is prolonging the pandemic and all its suffering for each and every one of us.”

Rich countries depend on boosters to keep them safe from Omicron and future variants of Covid-19. But the reinforcements can be nothing more than a temporary and inconvenient firewall.”

Eliminating the threat of variables and ending this epidemic requires vaccinating the world. This means sharing vaccine recipes and allowing developing countries to manufacture vaccines for themselves.”

Rory Sullivan, December 23, 2021, 07:49

Studies show that the micron is lighter than the delta

Two studies suggested that Omicron causes less severe disease than the delta variant.

Accordingly, those with the new variant are unlikely to need hospitalization.

But the Imperial College team warned that the NHS remains at risk due to Omicron’s ability to evade vaccines.

More details for our health reporter, Samuel Lovett:

Rory Sullivan Dec 23, 2021 07:34

1640244605 House Majority Whip Jim Clipburn Tests Positive for Covid

House Whip Jim Clyburn said he had tested positive for Covid-19, even though he was fully vaccinated with a booster and had no symptoms.

“America is in a new phase of this pandemic,” Claiborne, 81, said in a statement. “No one is immune.”

“On Sunday, my whole family had tests at home as a precaution before my granddaughter’s wedding, which is taking place today,” he said. He said the home test was inconclusive, and he quarantined and had another test on Monday.

It took 56 hours to get positive results, Claiborne said. Still in quarantine and missed the wedding.

Stuti Mishra December 23, 2021 07:30

1640243405 China expects ‘certain number’ of Covid-19 cases due to Olympic Games arrival

An official at the Beijing Winter Olympics said there was a high probability of a “certain number” of Covid cases in China due to foreigners arriving for the event.

A large number of people from different countries and regions will come to China and the flow of people will increase. Thus, a certain number of positive cases will become a high-probability event,” said Han Zirong, vice president and general secretary of the Beijing Organizing Committee at a press conference.

The games are scheduled to run from February 4 to February 20 with all athletes, related personnel and staff in a “closed loop” in order to contain the spread of the virus.

“We firmly believe that Covid prevention measures can reduce the risk of infection spreading, and can ensure the health of athletes and other games personnel,” said Huang Chun, another official with the organizing committee.

China has so far been able to curb the infection with some of the world’s most stringent restrictions.

Stuti Mishra Dec 23, 2021 07:10

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