Pennsylvania hospitals are running at 110%, while Maine and New York call National Guard.
The Guardian view on tighter Covid rules: better safe than sorry | Editorial
Ministers have announced a plan B. Now they must ensure it can be implementedWork from home if you can; wear face masks when in public indoor spaces (except when eating, drinking or exercising); use the NHS app to prove you are vaccinated, or have rece…
Covid live: people in Scotland urged to cancel Christmas parties; UK reports another 50,867 cases and 148 deaths
People and businesses in Scotland been urged not to go ahead with parties; UK daily case tally remains above 50,000South African Covid cases up 255% in a week as Omicron spreadsStricter measures than plan B may be needed to stop Omicron in UKItalian w…
Markets think Omicron plan B will delay rise in UK interest rates
Fears of economic slowdown mean Bank of England less likely to intervene to dampen inflationCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNew restrictions to limit the spread of the Omicron variant will delay an interest rate increase fro…
No 10’s sickening insult to all those who made sacrifices | Letters
Readers respond to the leaked video showing Downing Street officials joking about a Christmas party during last year’s lockdownMy initial reaction to hearing of the Christmas party and the fake news briefing was feeling as if I had been kicked in the s…
Stricter measures than plan B may be needed to rein in UK’s Omicron growth
Analysis: scientists say home working makes sense but voice fears over advice to go ahead with parties amid steep trajectory in casesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWork from home, but keep going to Christmas parties: Boris …
‘Gathering’ storm: ministers’ party pieces fail to convince | John Crace
Sajid Javid and Mike Ellis both claim nothing untoward happened at events that did not take placeThe day off didn’t seem to have done much to improve Sajid Javid’s mood. The health secretary had cancelled his slots on the Wednesday morning media round …
Covid live news: South Korea surge sparks hospital alarm; ‘stealth’ Omicron variant found
South Korea daily cases top 7,000 for first time; ‘stealth’ version of Omicron ‘cannot be detected by routine tests’; Boris Johnson staff filmed joking about No 10 partyWHO Europe: jab young children to cut Covid risk at ChristmasModerna or Novavax aft…
Tennis Australia denies seeking loopholes for unvaccinated players amid Novak Djokovic row
Australian Open organisers say ‘all players, participants and staff’ must be vaccinated after Djokovic, who has not revealed his vaccination status, named for Serbia in ATP cupTennis Australia has hit back at suggestions it is seeking to exploit a “loo…
Boris Johnson says it is ‘complete nonsense’ to claim he ordered evacuation of dogs from Kabul – UK politics live
Latest updates: PM denies claim from Foreign Office whistleblowerRaab rejects whistleblower’s claims over Kabul evacuationWhistleblower condemns Foreign Office over Kabul evacuationFresh questions raised about Raab’s role in Afghan rescue debacleHow Af…