Data backs shorter periods, but experts say testing is key.
Decision on stricter Covid rules for England may come on Monday
Ministers expected to assess latest data given to Sage and decide on possible return to step 2 restrictionsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters could meet as soon as Monday to determine whether new restrictions are need…
Covid news live: Omicron carries lower hospitalisation risk, studies suggest; South Korea marks deadliest day of pandemic
Two British studies report Omicron patients were hospitalised less than those with Delta; South Korea reports a record 109 deaths from Covid in one day as pressure on medical services mountsChina locks down 13 million people in northern city of Xi’anRi…
Covid news live: WHO urges caution over festive gatherings, London cancels NYE celebration
WHO warns holiday festivities will lead to “increased cases, overwhelmed health systems and more deaths”; London records the UK’s highest number of Omicron cases amid steep rise in hospitalisationsOmicron is now dominant Covid-19 variant in US, officia…
Covid live: UK reports 82,886 new cases in huge weekly jump; Omicron dominant in Ireland
Latest UK daily cases show a 72% jump on the 48,071 new infections recorded last Sunday; Irish officials say 52% of cases estimated to be new variantUK health secretary refuses to rule out further curbs before ChristmasThe science case for more Covid r…
Pandemic on Wall Street causes rising levels … of bonuses
Enforced takeovers during the crisis will mean a bumper year for the bankers who advise on billion-dollar dealsJust as most of us are feeling the effects of soaring inflation, which the Office for National Statistics said last week had reached a 10-yea…
UK scientists: bring in curbs now or face up to 2m daily Covid infections as Omicron spreads
Deaths could hit 6,000 a day and delaying restrictions until New Year will cut effectiveness, say Sage expertsRead more: is there any good news at all on Omicron?The scale of the threat posed by the Omicron variant was laid bare by government scientist…
Coronavirus live: WHO warns Covid vaccines may be less effective against Omicron variant
Latest updates: Omicron risk remains ‘very high’, says latest WHO statement; Olaf Scholz vows to ‘win the fight’ against Covid in first major address to German parliament US passes 800,000 Covid-related deaths – highest in the worldUK Omicron infection…
Omicron could be spreading faster in England than in South Africa, Sage adviser says
John Edmunds says variant is ‘very severe setback’ to controlling Covid pandemic and that plan B ‘absolutely not an overreaction’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCases of the Omicron variant could be spreading even faster in …
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…