micron is “probably the most significant threat we’ve had since the start of the pandemic,” the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency said on Wednesday.
Dr Jenny Harries told MPs that the virus has a doubling time “which is shortening” and is now under two days in most regions in the UK.
Meanwhile, a public health expert has said coronavirus cases in London are accelerating at their fastest since the first wave in March 2020.
Warnings from experts come as over-18s are able to book booster jabs from today, if it has been more than two months since their second dose. Vaccine passports also came into effect on Wednesday.
Live updates
Current measures ‘will see us through to the new year’ – Grant Shapps
Current measures ‘will see us through to the new year’ – Grant Shapps
Boris Johnson is facing a grilling from MPs after suffering Tory rebellion
The Prime Minister is under intense pressure at PMQs after 100 backbenchers defied him on Plan B measures, which passed with the support of the Labour Party.
Follow live coverage of PMQs here.
Official figures: 12,303 people have died in Scotland with Covid
A total of 12,303 people have died in Scotland with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, according to the National Records of Scotland (NRS).
The latest data shows 84 fatalities which mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate were registered in the week December 6-December 12, down seven on the previous week.
France predicts 4,000 Covid patients in ICUs by Christmas, says government spokesman
France expects to see around 4,000 patients in intensive care with Covid by the Christmas holidays, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.
He also told a news conference that the Omicron variant does not seem, at this stage, to cause more severe forms of the disease than the Delta variant.
On Tuesday, the health ministry had registered 2,792 Covid-19 patients in intensive care wards.
What’s the situation in France at the moment? Read here.
Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer to go head-to-head during PMQs
Yes, it really has been one week since that memorable PMQs when Boris Johnson apologised “unreservedly” for that leaked video showing No 10 aides joking about a “fictional” Christmas party.
A lot has happened since then.
Covid Cobra meeting to be held
A Cobra meeting is to take place this afternoon between Communities Secretary Michael Gove and the leaders of the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The meeting will take place at around 5pm.
Omicron likely to be dominant variant in Ireland by next week
The Omicron variant will likely be dominant in Ireland by next week, according to Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.
Mr Varadkar, who is a medical doctor, said the new variant makes up 14 per cent of cases in the country – up from one per cent a week ago.
He added that he expects health chiefs to recommend tighter measures on social mixing and international travel this week.
NHS experiencing ‘unprecedented demand’ for PCR tests – Dr Jenny Harries
Dr Jenny Harries said the NHS is experiencing “unprecedented demand” for PCR tests.
She told MPs: “We had already planned to increase capacity over the winter, because we predicted a difficult winter. We clearly couldn’t predict a variant like Omicron. We have some flexibility there.
“We currently have about 650,000 tests per day available. If you go back to when we had no tests, or very few, about 1,000 I think going back to autumn last year, this is a huge achievement.”
She added: “Yesterday the public may have seen some pressure on some of those sites. I’m in Wales. Some of the test sites here will be at 7% or 8% capacity. In London, they were quite full.
“People can still order tests at home, and we have put in mobile testing units to try and boost those supplies so people can get tested.
“So we do have sufficient tests both for PCR and LFTs (lateral flow tests). But the very rapid rises is causing some temporary pressure.”
Comedian Jethro dies aged 73 after contracting Covid-19
Comedian Jethro has died at the age of 73.
A statement on his Facebook page said he died on Tuesday after contracting Covid-19.
It said: “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of the well known and popular Cornish comedian Jethro.”
Dawn French was among those to pay tribute to him, saying some of her most “helpless with laughter moments were in his presence”.
Read the full article here.
More than 150,000 booster jabs booked since service opened to all over-18s
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said more than 50,000 booster jabs were booked between midnight and 9am on Wednesday as the National Booking Service opens up to all over 18s in England.
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