Covid: UK records massive 183k new cases as Boris under pressure over test shortages
THE UK has reported 183,037 new Covid cases, a new record and over 50,000 more than the previous highest figure, according to the latest Government statistics.
Omicron: SAGE warning calls for policy decisions 'sooner'
This total includes reported figures for Northern Ireland covering a five-day period. There were also 57 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test - more than triple the 18 reported on Tuesday. Earlier today, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported 39,923 additional confirmed cases of the Omicron variant. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is coming under increasing pressure due to a shortage of Covid tests available to millions of people throughout the county. But a spokesperson for the UKHSA said nearly eight million test kits being sent to pharmacies by New Year's Eve.
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KEY EVENTS
- Number of Covid patients in hospital in England surges by nearly 50 percent from a week ago18:36
- Massive 183,000 new Covid cases reported in UK - 50,000 more than previous high18:24
- Nearly 40,000 new Omicron cases in the UK in latest surge17:40
- Omicron behind 80 percent of cases - Sturgeon issues warning as curbs stay15:43
- Testing in chaos as NO PCRs available in England after lateral flow hell14:26
- Global Covid-19 updates12:25
- ‘Milder than Delta!’ Boris issues major Omicron boost as he defends tactics12:04
Boris issues fresh plea for population to get Covid booster
The Prime Minister has taken to Twitter to again urge people to get boosted.
He posted a video of himself visiting the Open University in Milton Keynes earlier today.
Mr Johnson accompanied this with the tweet: "Getting the booster is absolutely crucial in protecting yourself and your loved ones against Omicron.
"Get boosted now."
Getting the booster is absolutely crucial in protecting yourself and your loved ones against Omicron.
\u2014 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 29, 2021
Get boosted now. pic.twitter.com/imHsOpMovf
Nearly 52m people in the UK have received a Covid vaccine
The latest data for the UK shows an additional 23,859 people have had their first dose of a vaccine, taking the total to 51,705,406.
A further 29,534 people have received their second jab, meaning 47,324,308 have now been double vaccinated.
In addition, more than 33 million booster and third doses have also been given, a day-on-day rise of 325,087.
'Total shambles!' Labour blast Boris Johnson over shortage of Covid tests
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles.
"People are trying to do the right thing, follow the Government's own advice, and test themselves regularly, but are prevented by the Conservative Government's incompetence.
"They need to get a grip and provide enough tests so people can keep themselves and everyone else safe."
Number of Covid patients in hospital in England surges by nearly 50 percent from a week ago
There are now 10,462 people were in hospital in England with Covid (as of 8am on December 29) - up by 916 from Tuesday, according to figures from NHS England.
This has surged 48 percent from a week ago and is the highest number since March 1.
In London, there are 3,310 people in hospital with Covid - a massive week-on-week jump of 63 percent and the highest number since February 16.
The definition used to indentify a hospital admission with Covid is a person who either tested positive for it in the 14 days prior to their admission or during their time in hospital.
Massive 183,000 new Covid cases reported in UK - 50,000 more than previous high
The UK has reported 183,037 new infections - a massive record and over 50,000 more than the previous highest figure.
This total includes reported figures for Northern Ireland covering a five-day period.
There were 57 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, up from 18 on Tuesday.
Nearly eight million test kits being sent to pharmacies before New Year's Eve
A UK Health Security Agency spokesperson said: "The UK's testing programme is the biggest in Europe with almost 400 million tests carried out since the start of the pandemic.
"We are delivering record numbers of lateral flow tests to pharmacies across the country, with almost eight million test kits being made available to pharmacies between today and New Year's Eve.
"We have made 100,000 more PCR booking slots available per day since mid-December and we are continuing to rapidly expand capacity - with over half a million tests carried out on 23 December alone and delivery capacity doubled to 900,000 PCR and LFD test kits a day.
"If you have not been able to get the test you need from gov.uk, please keep checking every few hours as more PCR and LFD tests become available every day."
Nearly 40,000 new Omicron cases in the UK in latest surge
The UK Health Security Agency has reported 39,923 additional confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.
This has increased the total number of confirmed Omicron cases in the UK to 210,122.
The HSA also tweeted: "Scotland are no longer separating Omicron cases from other COVID-19 cases in daily reports, and will update Omicron numbers weekly.
"Figures from Wales & Scotland have been backdated from 24 Dec, so figures may be inflated."
#OmicronVariant latest information
\u2014 UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 29, 2021
39,923 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK.
Confirmed Omicron cases in the UK now total 210,122. pic.twitter.com/JE2hzOvkw4
Over 90 percent of community Covid cases in England now Omicron variant - UKHSA
The Health Security Agency (HSA) said more than 90 percent of community Covid cases in the country are now the Omicron strain.
The HSA tweeted: "The last daily #OmicronVariant overview will be reported on Friday 31 December.
"As data has shown that Omicron cases now constitute more than 90 percent of all community COVID-19 cases in England, our daily dashboard will provide the most updated info on COVID-19 case figures."
The last daily #OmicronVariant overview will be reported on Friday 31 December. As data has shown that Omicron cases now constitute more than 90% of all community COVID-19 cases in England, our daily dashboard will provide the most updated info on COVID-19 case figures.
\u2014 UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 29, 2021
Sajid Javid speaks out on testing chaos
The Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said a global shortage of lateral flow and PCR tests is impacting the UK.
Mr Javid spoke with Sir Roger Gale, the North Thanet MP and said: "The long and the short of it is he says there is a worldwide shortage of lateral flow tests.
"A British company that is making them has ramped up its production line fourfold and we are buying the lot, plus anything we can get from anywhere else around the world, but we are competing in a global market."
Omicron behind 80 percent of cases - Sturgeon issues warning as curbs stay
Nicola Sturgeon updated MSPs on the Covid situation in Scotland and confirmed that Covid protections would stay in place as Omicron now accounts for around 80 percent of all cases.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 15,849 Covid cases were recorded across Scotland on Tuesday, which is a new record "by some margin."
Ms Sturgeon said Omicron accounts for around 80 percent of all cases and over the past week the number of reported Covid cases overall has increased by 47 percent. She said it was "reasonable to assume" we will continue to see "steep increases in cases in the days and possibly weeks ahead."
Testing in chaos as NO PCRs available in England after lateral flow hell
THE NHS website is showing that there are no walk-in PCR tests available to book anywhere in England or Northern Ireland, after pharmacists face a shortage of lateral flows.
Appointments for PCR tests are unavailable in every region of the country, with “very few available” in Scotland and availability in Wales. The NHS website says there are no home tests available for the general public or for essential workers.
A UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) spokesperson said: “During periods of exceptional demand there may be temporary pauses in ordering or receiving tests, to ensure we manage distribution across the system and support changing requirements for [lateral flow] and PCR tests.” Labour called the situation a "total shambles.”
Up to 90% of Covid patients in ICU are unboosted
On a visit to a vaccine centre in Milton Keynes, the prime minister said he was "sorry" to say the overwhelming majority of people currently in intensive care in are people who are not boosted.
He said he has spoken to doctors "who say the numbers are running up to 90 percent of people in intensive care.”
Mr Johnson continued: “If you’re not vaccinated, you’re eight times more likely to get into hospital altogether. So it’s a great thing to do. It’s very, very important. Get boosted for yourself, and enjoy new year sensibly and cautiously.”
UK handed Omicron hope
A study has found that a three-day course of remdesivir results in a lower risk for hospitalisation or death compared with a placebo.
Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas conducted the randomised trial and found fantastic results which gives hope in the fight against Omicron.
The authors wrote: "In the campaign toward ending the COVID-19 pandemic, these data add yet another option to the armamentarium for the treatment of vulnerable patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19."
Global Covid-19 updates
As Coronavirus cases across the globe rocket, there has been a flurry of news. Here are all of the top lines:
- Australia's most populous state - New South Wales - reported a near doubling in daily cases, despite this Queensland announces it will drop PCR test requirement for interstate arrivals and South Australia drops pre-departure PCR tests.
- Daily coronavirus infections in the United Arab Emirates have risen above 2,000 for the first time since June.
- France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Malta all registered a record number of new cases on Tuesday.
- Poland reported 794 Covid-related deaths on Wednesday, with Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska saying that more than 75 percent of those who died were unvaccinated.
- New Zealand reported its first exposure to the Omicron variant in a person arriving from the UK who had been active in the community in Auckland.
- The Chinese city of Xi’an has entered its seventh day of lockdown on Wednesday.
- Thai health authorities warned that cases could jump after classifying the country’s first cluster of the Omicron variant as a super-spreader incident.
- Nightclubs in France will remain closed for a further three weeks, after nearly 180,000 new Covid were reported marking a new daily record since the pandemic began.
Two Republicans face more than $100,000 in penalties for violating mask rules
Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andrew Clyde rebelled against a rule requiring legislators to wear masks on the House floor.
To date, they have incurred more than $100,000 combined in fines, which are taken directly from their paychecks.
Ms Greene has been fined more than 30 times for violating the mask rules and was fined five days in a row during one stretch. She is unvaccinated and called the mask requirement “communist,” “tyrannical” and “authoritarian.”
Mr Clyde has accused the House of a “deeply troubling” practice of “selective enforcement.”
Boris told he must act as thousands forced to stay home
Boris Johnson is facing increasing pressure to cut COVID-19 isolation periods after the United States slashed the quarantine period for asymptomatic cases to five days.
Patricia Marquis, the England director of the Royal College of Nursing told The Guardian that staff shortages due to the sheer number of people isolating will cause huge trouble.
She said: “Services are already really stretched and it won’t take a lot – either further staff absences or increasing numbers of patients needing to be seen because the hospitals are full – to really push the services over the edge.”
71% slump in international flights to and from the UK in 2021
Firm evidence on the impact of UK Government restrictions on travel, as a report from The OTP reveals a massive 71 percent slump in international flights to and from the UK in 2021. UK domestic flights also fell by nearly 60 percent.
Around 406,060 international flights operated from the UK this year, compared with 1,399,170 in 2019 before travel was restricted. Budget airline Ryanair remained the largest carrier in the UK, with more than 100,000 UK flights in 2021.
‘Milder than Delta!’ Boris issues major Omicron boost as he defends tactics
Boris Johnson has claimed that Omicron is “obviously milder than the Delta variant” as he continues to defend New Year’s Eve celebrations despite stringent restrictions in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
The Prime Minister said the vaccination campaign had allowed England to maintain its current level of coronavirus controls and means people can celebrate on New Year's Eve, “in the cautious way that we are."
Asked why England had acted differently to the devolved nations, Mr Johnson said: "I think that we've looked at the balance of the risks together, we generally concert our strategies together, we see the data showing that, yes, the cases are rising and, yes, hospitalisations are rising, but what is making a huge difference is the level of booster resistance or level of vaccine-induced resistance in the population.”
Medicine professor thinks isolation will soon have to be scrapped altogether
In a BBC interview, medicine professor Paul Hunter believes isolation will soon have to be scrapped altogether.
He said: "I think the whole issue of how long are we going to be able to allow people to self-isolate if they’re positive is going to have to be discussed fairly soon, because I think this is a disease that’s not going away."
Mr Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, said people with Covid should be able to "go about their normal lives" as they would with a common cold.
He hoped this could happen once we're past Easter, depending on the effects of the disease at that time.
NHS risks crumbling as staff shortages pose a huge threat
Around 800,000 people are estimated to be in isolation, causing disruption across the nation to public services from bin collections to rail services and businesses.
Up to four in ten NHS staff in London could be absent due to isolating with Covid, according to some estimates. The total number of health workers self-isolating in England has risen from 12,240 to 18,820 in a week. Almost 4,000 NHS staff were absent last week alone, because of COVID.
Around 43 percent of NHS absences in London were because of Covid, compared to about 16 percent at the end of November, according to the FT.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the British Medical Association’s ruling council, said to the FT that the data understated the severity of the situation because it does not account for absences in general practice and community services.
Omicron might help defend against Delta
People who have recovered from an infection with the new Omicron coronavirus variant may be able to fend off later infections from the Delta variant.
The covered a small group of people and has not been peer-reviewed, but it found that people who were infected with Omicron, and especially those vaccinated, developed enhanced immunity to the Delta variant.
Alex Sigal, a professor at the Africa Health Research Institute in South Africa, said on Twitter that if Omicron was less pathogenic, "this will help push Delta out".
Covid tests for key workers run out
Home Covid testing kits for key workers and PCR testing appointments have run out as the system continues to be overwhelmed by demand for a third day.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has blamed “unprecedented demand” for the issues.
As the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) member Dr Zubaida Haque says, this is not good good with a record number of infections.
There is currently no available PCR tests anywhere in England, LFTs are far and few between, self isolation periods have been cut and there are no limits to gatherings.
This is NOT GOOD. A record number of infections - over 129,000 (for England and Wales) recorded on Tues, and there are *no available #PCR tests* anywhere in England. LFTs are scarce, self isolation periods have been cut short for vaxxed ppl and there are no limits to gatherings pic.twitter.com/0O8KznV3Tc
\u2014 Dr Zubaida Haque (@Zubhaque) December 29, 2021
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Good morning, I'm Rachel Hagan and I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on Covid, for the next few hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: rachel.hagan@reachplc.com
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