Who delays booster shot

Welsh First Minister says UK Government has 'abandoned science' in new Covid rules Health authorities are investigating BA.2, a lineage of the Omicron variant, after it was found to have caused hundreds of coronavirus cases in England. Some 426 cases of the new sub-variant have been identified in England, with 146 in London and 97 in the South East, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. This compares with the previous total of 53 cases detected up until 10 January. Unlike the original Omicron variant, which accounts for the majority of cases in the UK, BA.2 does not have the specific mutation that was used to first track and compare it against Delta last month. Meanwhile, plans to make vaccination mandatory for NHS staff are reportedly being reviewed over fears that some 70,000 health service staff could be lost as a result. Sources told the i newspaper that a temporary suspension of the policy was being “actively” looked at within the … [Read more...] about Covid news – live: New BA.2 variant ‘under investigation’ as ministers ‘consider delaying’ NHS vaccine mandate

Welcome to Thursday’s Overnight Health Care , where we’re following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup . Another change brought on by the pandemic era: NBC says its Olympics announcing teams will be operating remotely rather than going to China due to COVID-19 concerns. Texas abortion providers faced another setback at the Supreme Court today as the battle continues over the state’s six-week abortion law. ADVERTISEMENT For The Hill, we’re Peter Sullivan ( [email protected] ) and Nathaniel Weixel ( [email protected] ). Write to us with tips and feedback, and follow us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4 and @NateWeixel Let’s get started. High court rebuffs abortion providers again The Supreme Court on Thursday rebuffed abortion providers’ latest legal maneuver in their challenge to Texas’ six-week ban, which has sharply reduced abortion access in the state since taking effect … [Read more...] about Overnight Health Care — Another Texas abortion setback

Countries across Europe have been considering new curbs on movement, with German scientists urging maximum and immediate restrictions on social contacts as the Omicron variant swept the world days before the second Christmas of the pandemic. Many nations are on high alert just days ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, as the latest health crisis also takes a toll on financial markets, which fear the impact on the global economic recovery. Omicron infections are multiplying rapidly across Europe, the United States and Asia, including in Japan where a single cluster at a military base has grown to at least 180 cases. The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has urged people to cancel some of their holiday plans to protect public health. “An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled,” said WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that “difficult decisions” must be made. Recommended New Zealand links 26-year-old man’s death to … [Read more...] about Europe considers new Covid curbs as Omicron spreads worldwide

WASHINGTON — President Biden accelerated his administration’s coronavirus response on Tuesday as the country faced a surge in cases from a highly contagious new variant, telling anxious Americans that “we should all be concerned about Omicron, but not panicked.” In a White House address delivered against the backdrop of a new global struggle to cope with the two-year-old pandemic, Mr. Biden said the government will buy a half-billion rapid coronavirus tests and distribute them free to Americans; create new vaccination and testing sites; and send 1,000 military medical professionals to help hospitals nationwide. “I know you’re tired, really, and I know you’re frustrated,” Mr. Biden said, adding that vaccinated Americans should feel comfortable celebrating with their friends and family for the upcoming holidays. “We all want this to be over, but we’re still in it.” The president said military troops will begin arriving in Wisconsin and Indiana this week to aid health care workers … [Read more...] about Biden Bolsters Virus Fight, Offering Aid to Hospitals and Free Tests

‘Time to be ourselves again’: Taoiseach announces end to Covid restrictions in Ireland The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Covid-19 chief said it would be “premature” to end the requirement to self-isolate when infected. The UK government is likely to lift the legal mandate in the coming weeks. Current isolation rules expire on 24 March but Boris Johnson said he would bring the date forward if Covid data was encouraging. Asked about the change in a BBC interview, Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on coronavirus , said: “I think it’s premature. I think there needs to be a clear reason of why it’s being dropped. “If you don’t isolate cases then the virus will spread between people.” Meanwhile, health authorities said they were investigating BA.2 , a lineage of the Omicron variant, after it was found to have caused hundreds of coronavirus cases in England. BA.2 is thought to be harder to track than the original Omicron variant as it does not … [Read more...] about Covid news – live: End of self-isolation would be ‘premature’, says WHO, as BA.2 variant ‘under investigation’