Covid: Another record for Covid cases and first Omicron booster studyon December 17, 2021 at 5:14 pm

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Friday evening. We’ll have another update for you in the morning.

A record number of daily coronavirus cases have been reported across the UK for the third day in a row as infections surge driven by the Omicron variant. There were 93,045 confirmed Covid cases reported on Friday, up by nearly 5,000 on the day before. The number of coronavirus cases in the UK has increased by 132,836 or 38.6% in the last seven days, compared with the previous week, according to the government figures. Deaths remain stable but there is generally a lag between infection and severe illness developing. London has seen rapid spread of the Omicron variant and you can hear how those on the front line at St George’s Hospital in the capital are tackling it here.

UK researchers say a Covid booster shot could provide 85% protection against severe illness from the Omicron coronavirus variant. That is a bit less protection than vaccines gave against earlier versions of Covid, but it means the top-up dose should still keep many people out of hospital. The modelling, from the team at Imperial College London, is based on limited information about Omicron and the researchers say there is a high degree of uncertainty until more real-world information is gathered about this new variant that is spreading quickly. Experts are still trying to figure out how severe Omicron will be.

Omicron is now the dominant coronavirus variant in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, as new rules to stop the spread of the virus were introduced in the nation. People have been urged to stay at home as much as possible in the lead up to Christmas and to meet with no more than three households at a time, while there are also rules in place for safety measures in shops and hospitality outlets. Meanwhile, Ms Sturgeon’s Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford warned of an Omicron “storm” coming after Christmas with Wales to introduce new measures from 27 December.

Hospitality businesses have been warning of lost bookings and cancellations during what for many should be one of the busiest times of the year. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is meeting business leaders for crisis talks, with many in the sector calling for more financial support. It is not just pubs, bars and clubs which are suffering – the boss of the Royal Albert Hall says the venue has seen a huge drop in sales since the spread of Omicron. But some people are still enjoying a Christmas night out like these revellers in Ipswich.

Katelyn Mensah is one of tens of thousands of people to have tested positive for Covid in the UK in the past few days – which means she’ll be self-isolating over Christmas. “All of my housemates are going home so it looks like it’s going to be a Christmas dinner for one,” she said. While she is still awaiting the result of her PCR test, after a lateral flow test came back positive, she fully expects to be self-isolating for 10 days – which will take her to 26 December. She said she is trying to see the positives and plans to fill the time doing a bit of university work and watching Christmas TV. You can read more stories of people isolating this Christmas here.

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With changes to the rules in some places here’s a reminder of the restrictions around the UK.

You can find more information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page.

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