With new Omicron case detected, UK awaits COVID booster advice - Reuters UK

• UK wants to broaden booster campaign
• New measures are temporary
• Scotland also to introduce travel measures

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Britain's health minister Sajid Javid said on Sunday he expected to receive advice imminently on whether the government can broaden a booster shot programme to try to weaken the impact of the newly identified Omicron coronavirus variant.

A day after Britain said it had detected two cases of the variant, its health agency recorded a third - in a person who was linked to travel to Southern Africa but had since left the country after spending time in the capital London. read more

The government announced new measures on Saturday to try to slow the spread of the variant, toughening rules for people arriving into Britain and ordering the use of face masks in retail settings and on transport in England. read more

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But ministers also want to ramp up the offer of booster jabs, saying even if vaccines prove to be less effective against Omicron, they should offer better protection against it and reduce the number of hospitalisations and deaths.

"The other thing that still remains hugely important, but I think it's fair to say now more important than it was before, is our vaccination programme," Javid told Sky News.

"That is why I have also asked our expert advisers on vaccines called JCVI (the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) to give me very quick advice on broadening, boosting our booster programme, and I expect to get that advice imminently."

Earlier this month, Britain expanded eligibility for booster jabs to people in their 40s and also said children aged 16 and 17 would be able to receive a second dose following guidance from the JCVI. read more

Scotland, where the government sets its own health rules, already requires people to wear face coverings and work from home if possible, but its first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, told the BBC's Andrew Marr show she would also bring in new rules for arrivals.

"I think we need to be open minded to doing anything required to keep the population safe right now," she said.

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The discovery of Omicron, dubbed a "variant of concern" last week by the World Health Organization, has sparked worries around the world that it could resist vaccinations and prolong the nearly two-year COVID-19 pandemic.

Javid said the new measures were needed to buy time for experts to understand more about Omicron, which is likely to have spread in Britain beyond the three cases so far detected.

Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK's Health Security Agency, said: "It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days, as we are seeing in other countries globally, and as we increase case detection through focused contact-tracing."

The Financial Times newspaper cited people familiar with the matter as saying public health leaders had been briefed that among the cases being investigated is a traveller who arrived back in the UK from South Africa on Nov. 16.

Paul Burton, chief medical officer at Moderna (MRNA.O), said that if a new vaccine was needed, "I think that's going to be early 2022 before that’s really going to be available in large quantities".

But Javid repeated it was not as yet clear whether vaccines were less effective against the variant.

"The point is the vaccines are still going to give you more protection than otherwise," he said. "That is why the booster programme is so important."

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Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Editing by Louise Heavens, Mark Heinrich, Raissa Kasolowsky and Catherine Evans

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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2021-11-28 16:13:00Z
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Migrant crisis: Priti Patel not included in Calais meeting - BBC News

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Home Secretary Priti Patel has warned that failure by European politicians to co-operate on the continent's migrant crisis will lead to "even worse scenes" in the English Channel this winter.

France is due to host German, Belgian and Dutch ministers and European Commission officials for talks.

Ms Patel was disinvited from the summit after a row between Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron.

But she vowed to "continue to push" for improvement to tackle the crisis.

On Friday Prime Minister Boris Johnson publicly shared a letter he had sent to the French president on how to deal with the current situation.

In it he set out five steps - joint patrols of the Channel, better use of technology such as sensors and radar, maritime patrols in each other's waters, stronger co-operation by intelligence services and negotiation on a policy of returning migrants who reach the UK to France

This letter angered Mr Macron and according to the French government it demonstrated "double talk" from the UK.

This resentment from Paris led to the home secretary's invitation being revoked.

However, the UK government said that, even if the home secretary does not attend Sunday's meeting in Calais, British officials will be there.

In light of the Franco-British tensions, Ms Patel said: "The UK cannot tackle this issue alone, and across Europe we all need to step up, take responsibility, and work together in a time of crisis."

She added: "We will not shy away from the challenge we face, and next week I will continue to push for greater co-operation with European partners because a failure to do so could result in even worse scenes in the freezing water during the coming winter months."

Ms Patel said the conversations she had on Thursday with her French counterpart, Gerald Darmanin, were "constructive".

• Channel deaths: What do we know so far?
• Why do migrants leave France for the UK?
• Highest UK asylum claims since 2004

On Wednesday, 27 people drowned as they headed for the UK from France. Their boat sank in the Channel. The International Organization for Migrations said it was the biggest single loss of life in the Channel since it began collecting data in 2014.

Their deaths have raised questions about why so many people are attempting the journey despite the dangerous conditions.

For several years, people smugglers have sent people to the UK in lorries. Although this route is safer than small boats, there have also been tragedies, including the 39 Vietnamese people found dead in a refrigerated lorry in 2019.

However, the security at the Port of Calais in France - where UK border controls operate - has been tightened. This has meant that more attempts are being made to send people by boat, according to Tony Smith, former director general of UK Border Force.

So far this year, the number of people crossing the channel in small boats has far exceeded previous years.

Asylum claims to UK are at their highest since 2004, according to official estimates. However, other countries in Europe are also processing a high amount of asylum applications.

Many people fleeing conflict zones already choose to make an asylum claim in the first country they arrive in - such as Greece, Turkey or Italy - and only a minority choose to travel on to the UK.

Last year, Germany had the highest number of asylum applicants in the EU (122,015 applicants), while France had 93,475 applicants.

In the same period the UK received the fifth largest number of applicants (36,041) when compared with countries in the EU (around 7% of the total). This represents the 17th largest intake when measured per head of population, according to UN Refugee Agency.

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2021-11-28 05:11:04Z
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Storm Arwen: Snow and rain warning stays in place after three killed by falling trees - Sky News

A snow and ice weather warning is still in place after Storm Arwen battered the UK over the past 48 hours.

Some areas are expected to struggle to get above -10C (14F) this morning and on Monday morning, according to the Met Office.

Three people were killed by falling trees as wind-speeds of almost 100mph were recorded in parts of the UK.

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0:39

Storm Arwen batters north coast of Scotland

Image: Bricks and masonry were blown from buildings during the high winds

Snow and rain from Arwen also fell across the British Isles, and thousands were left without power in the North East due to the severe gusts.

Snowfall was heaviest at higher altitudes - with customers trapped overnight on Friday at a pub on top of the Pennines.

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The Tan Hill Inn, purported to be the highest pub in the UK, posted on social media that punters and an Oasis tribute band were unable to leave due to the snowfall - with photos showing people sleeping on the floor and on sofas.

People were still trapped on Saturday, with the pub putting on free food and a quiz to keep morale up.

The storm is set to blow out over Europe in the coming hours - with parts of Spain already reporting snowfall.

The yellow UK warnings still in force - which expire at 11am - forecast: "Wintry showers causing icy stretches.

"Snow showers becoming more extensive over parts of Scotland and northwest England early Sunday."

Temperatures are likely to struggle to get above freezing in parts - with Manchester and Newcastle expected to sit at around -1C (30.2F).

Image: Three people were killed by falling trees during Arwen

Image: More snow is expected to fall today

Heavy winds saw waves topping 11m (36ft) hit parts of the coast in Scotland. Flood warnings were in place on the east coast due to the high crests.

A Met Office forecast said: "In the UK Sunday will be a much more settled day, with many areas of England and Wales remaining dry and fine away from some coastal showers.

"Northern Ireland and Scotland however will see some further rain and perhaps snow, mostly for high ground.

Image: Snow fell in Vitoria, Spain, as the storm moved into Europe

"It will continue to feel cold with a northerly breeze and with clear skies overnight will lead to some very low minimum temperatures both Sunday and Monday mornings with temperatures below -10C possible in areas with snow cover across Scotland and Northern England.

"After a milder interlude at the start of the week, there are signs of further cold conditions moving in from the North by the middle of the week."

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2021-11-28 08:05:14Z
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Channel deaths: Kurdish woman who died during Channel crossing told fiance she was making journey just before boarding boat - Sky News

A young Kurdish woman who drowned on Wednesday in the English Channel didn't tell her fiance she was about to board a boat to make the crossing, until the last minute.

The 24-year-old - also known as Mariam - died along with 26 others, when their flimsy raft ran into difficulties mid-crossing.

Image: Baran Nouri Mohammedameen didn't tell her fiance she was about to board a boat to make the crossing until the last minute

The incident has caused renewed political disagreement on both sides of the Channel.

Speaking at the family's home in Soran, northern Iraq, Baran's cousin and childhood friend told Sky News how much the two adored one another and that she wanted to join him in Europe.

"They loved each other so much, they were love birds," Iman Hassan told us.

"I've never seen anyone like them. I would tell my husband, look at him, buy roses like him! They loved each other and were so respectful to each other.

Image: Iman Hassan spoke about her cousin and childhood friend's love for her fiance

"She even didn't tell him that she was going this way [by sea], he was trying to find a better way. So what she did, before she got on the ship was take a photo and say 'I'm coming to you'. They loved each other so, so much."

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Sky News spent the day with family, relatives and friends mourning at the house in Kurdistan.

We were shown the last GPS location for the boat, midway between Calais and the Kent coast. That was the moment that her fiance, who was tracking her journey over, realised something might have happened.

With tears in his eyes, Baran's younger brother Mohammed said he will remember the last time they hugged.

He said: "My last memory with her which will stay in my head forever is that we were at Erbil International Airport. It was the last time I said goodbye to her and I hugged her.

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"Baran was a loved one in the family and in general. Anyone that has ever seen her or met her once can't forget her for sure, they couldn't. And to me, she was a sister and a friend. I am deeply saddened that she left with such a tragic accident."

Despite their loss, the family showed no sign of anger or blame. Baran's father said that God took her and explained why she wanted to go to the UK.

Image: Baran's younger brother Mohammed recalled the last time they hugged

He said: "They chose Britain because it's a good place, it's secure... people move or migrate there for their own good, but it was God's fate that it doesn't work out.

"I ask these countries, especially the UK and the European countries, to help Kurdish migrants, and migrants from other countries and respect them."

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2021-11-27 21:51:25Z
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Missing girl from Boston found - The Lincolnite

The first two UK cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been identified, one of which was in Nottingham, near the Lincolnshire border.

• Two cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 identified in the U.K.
• Individuals and their households are self-isolating and contact tracing is ongoing
• From 04:00 Sunday, November 28, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola will be added to the UK’s travel red list

After overnight genome sequencing, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that two cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 have been identified in the UK. 

The individuals that have tested positive, and all members of their households, are being re-tested and told to self-isolate while further testing and contact tracing is underway.

One case has been located in Chelmsford and the other in Nottingham.

The two cases are linked and there is a link to travel to Southern Africa. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to have been infectious. 

In addition, in line with updated advice from the UKHSA, from 4am Sunday Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola will be added to the travel red list. Travellers who have returned from these four countries in last 10 days must isolate and get a PCR test. UKHSA are following up recent arrivals from these countries.

This adds to the six countries placed on the red list on Friday. 

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid said: 

“Thanks to our world class genomic sequencing we have been made aware of two UK cases of the Omicron variant. We have moved rapidly and the individuals are self-isolating while contact tracing is ongoing. 

“We will do all we can to protect the UK public against this emerging threat and that is why we are surging testing capacity to the impacted communities and introducing travel restrictions on a further four countries: Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola. We will not hesitate to take further action if required. 

“This is a stark reminder that we are not yet out of this pandemic. Getting the vaccine has never been more important – please come forward for your first jab if you haven’t already and if eligible, book your booster as soon as possible.”

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said:

“We will continue to work closely with the international community to quickly gather and analyse information on this variant to understand any possible increase in transmissibility or resistance to vaccines.

“It is important that everyone takes sensible precautions – get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when asked, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, get your vaccine and boosters as soon as you can.”

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

“We have identified these cases thanks to the UK’s advanced sequencing capabilities which means we are able to find variants and take rapid action to limit onward spread. We are particularly grateful to public health colleagues in South Africa for early sharing of information on the Omicron variant to support global health security.

“We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy.

“If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you must isolate and get a PCR test immediately 

“It remains vital to come forward for vaccination, wear a face covering in crowded places and try to meet people in well-ventilated areas.”

From 04:00 on Sunday, November 28, non-UK and Irish residents who have been in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England. This does not apply to those who have stayed airside and only transited through any of these countries while changing flights.

UK and Irish residents arriving from 04:00 Sunday, November 28, must isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days. During their stay, they will be required to take a coronavirus PCR test on day 2 and day 8.

About B.1.1.529 Omicron

The UKHSA designated variant B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation (VuI) on Thursday 25 November. In response, the government announced that six African countries – South Africa, Botswana, Lesostho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia – would be added to the red list.

The B.1.1.529 variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility.

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2021-11-27 16:17:26Z
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Storm Arwen: Third person dies as gale-force winds hit UK - BBC News

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A third person has died after Storm Arwen lashed parts of the UK with high winds, rain and snow.

On Friday aA head teacher died after a tree fell onto his car in Antrim and another man also died after he was hit by a falling tree in Cumbria.

A third person died in Aberdeenshire, BBC Scotland understands, but no further details have been released yet.

Gusts reached speeds of 98mph in Northumberland, and about 120 lorries became stuck in snow on the M62.

There are further warnings for wind, snow and ice across the UK on Saturday.

In Scotland, more than 100,000 people lost power.

A rare red warning for wind had been issued by the Met Office on Friday across the east coast of Scotland and north-east England, with the highest speeds of 98mph recorded at Brizlee Wood in Northumberland.

Gusts overnight affected "a wide swathe of the United Kingdom", the Met Office said, with buildings damaged and trees blown down.

• Trains halted, power off as 81mph winds hit Wales
• Thousands of homes without power after Storm Arwen
• Thousands lose power in England as travel hit by Storm Arwen
• Man dies as high winds strike NI

Gusts of 87mph were recorded at Orlock Head, County Down, while Inverbervie on the north-east coast of Scotland saw speeds of 78mph, and Aberporth in Wales had gusts of up to 77mph.

The man who died when a falling tree hit his car in Northern Ireland was named as the principal of St Mary's Primary School in Maghera, Francis Lagan.

St Mary's PS

Police in Cumbria said a man from Lancaster was killed after a tree fell on him in Ambleside on Friday evening.

In Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, high winds tore the roof off an animal shelter, leading to the death of one newborn puppy.

LNER advised customers not to travel north of York on Saturday or Sunday, saying they were unable to transport passengers between Newcastle and Edinburgh due to significant damage to the rail network.

ScotRail also withdrew services between Aberdeen, Perth and Inverness on Friday and there was disruption on other lines.

17-hour ordeal for stranded passengers

Passengers in Aberdeenshire were stuck on a train for 17 hours as Storm Arwen swept across Scotland.

Mark Swinglehurst, 62, told the BBC the train had reached Huntly at about 17:00 GMT on Friday before coming to a halt.

Asked about the experience, he said: "I don't think it will get rave reviews on any sort of travel site."

He said it had been cold but comfortable and although there was a lack of refreshments initially, staff managed to secure bacon rolls and pies for the stranded passengers during their ordeal.

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Meanwhile, dozens of people - including an Oasis tribute band - were trapped by heavy snow at Britain's highest pub.

About 3ft of snow fell at the Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales, which is 1,732ft (528m) above sea level, meaning 60 people were unable to leave.

Beds in the pub's lounge area were set up for the 20 guests who had not planned an overnight stay, but the pub said it had plenty of supplies to keep people warm and fed.

Sleet has fallen across parts of Scotland and northern England with some heavy snow on higher ground.

Part of the M62 near Rochdale between junctions 21 and 22 was closed, with 120 lorries stuck in the snow after one of them jack-knifed.

More than 100,000 homes in Scotland lost power in the storm, with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks saying electricity had been restored to 40,000 by 09:30 on Saturday.

Northern Powergrid reported outages for 55,000 customers in north-east England, mainly in Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear, while 88,000 customers in the Midlands, Cheshire, Merseyside, Wales and south-west England were still without power at midday on Saturday.

There were also outages in Northern Ireland.

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In Wales, reality TV show I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here was forced to abandon its live show and broadcast pre-recorded footage as a precautionary measure due to Storm Arwen.

ITV said hosts Ant and Dec recorded their links before transmission while the celebrities remained secure inside the Welsh castle.

In County Durham, the roof of the clubhouse came off at Chester-le-Street Town FC, landing on the pitch of the Northern League division two team.

The red warning for high wind was issued for the east coast from Middlesbrough to Aberdeen until 02:00 on Saturday, and prompted police in Scotland to warn people not to travel "under any circumstances".

Temperatures were set to fall with the storm and a yellow warning for ice, lasting until 11:00 on Sunday, has been issued large stretches of northern and eastern Scotland, along with much of northern England.

Yellow Met Office warnings for high winds remain in place until 18:00 on Saturday, covering most of England and Wales, as well as the east coast of Northern Ireland.

• Storm Arwen forces I'm a Celeb to abandon live show
• Gales cause Isle of Man travel disruption

BBC Weather's Ben Rich said parts of eastern England could see sleet on Saturday afternoon, with some potential for snow on higher ground.

Strong winds will remain across the UK on Saturday but gusts are not expected to rise above 50mph.

In the early hours of Sunday, parts of north-west Scotland might receive more snow, while temperatures in Scotland and northern England could fall as low as -6C.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold weather alert, which is in place from 18:00 on Friday until 15:00 on Monday.

The government body is advising people to check on older neighbours and relatives, especially those who live alone or have a serious illness.

Reuters

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In other developments:

• A rowing boat crew was rescued after capsizing off the coast of Wales
• A rugby union game on Friday night between Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors was postponed until Saturday evening due to safety concerns
• Fallen trees caused disruption in Scotland with the A96 blocked between Elgin and Forres
• A railway line between Keith and Elgin in the north of Scotland was blocked by a landslip
• Ferries were cancelled between Northern Ireland and Scotland, as well as the Isle of Man and Lancashire.

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• TRAPPED AS THE WATERS ROSE: What happened when Hurricane Ida hit New York City
• 'BEING A SURGEON SHOWS YOU LIFE IS PRECIOUS': The doctors pushing science - and the human body - to its limits

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2021-11-27 15:53:31Z
1186694365

Chris Whitty: Public would need to back more Covid curbs - BBC News

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England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty has said his "greatest worry" is whether people will accept fresh curbs on activities to tackle Covid variants.

His comments came after the government announced quarantines on travellers from some African countries following the emergence of a new strain.

Prof Whitty said he questioned whether "we could take people with us" if restrictions had to be imposed.

But he added that "my overall view is, I think we will".

England has been through three national lockdowns since Covid first struck. There have also been many local restrictions imposed at various points during the past 20 months.

• We must act quickly over Covid variant - minister
• How worrying is the new Covid variant?

Prof Whitty told a panel discussion hosted by the Local Government Association: "My greatest worry at the moment is that people... if we need to do something more muscular at some point, whether it's for the current new variant or at some later stage, can we still take people with us?"

He admitted that some of the changes the public has had to make have been "very destructive" to society and the economy. However, despite his worries, Prof Whitty struck a positive note, saying he believed the government will be able to maintain public support for coronavirus measures.

"I think the extraordinary thing has been the ability of the UK population, with very, very small exceptions, to just accept that there are things we collectively have to do to protect one another and do collectively, including things that have been very destructive to social and economic situations for individuals and families," he said.

"Obviously, we want to avoid having to do those at all if we can, and to do the minimum ones necessary, but will we be able to maintain public support?

"And I think my overall view is, I think we will."

There have been a further 50,091 Covid cases in the UK and another 160 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, the latest government figures show.

Both deaths and the number of people admitted to hospital continue to trend lower despite the rise in cases. It is likely we're seeing the impact of the booster campaign protecting the most vulnerable people and keeping them out of hospital.

On Friday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons it was "highly likely" the B.1.1.529 variant - which has been named Omicron by the World Health Organization - had already spread from South Africa and Botswana. No cases have yet been detected in the UK.

Travellers from these countries, as well as Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini, will have to self-isolate for 10 days, with those arriving in England after 04:00 GMT on Sunday having to quarantine in a hotel.

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "The government are right to be cautious and they've moved very swiftly to bring these travel restrictions in, and that's the right thing to do, especially as there's so much uncertainty about this new variant."

He added: "I hope very much that we can avoid further restrictions here, not least because of the breadth of the vaccination programme."

But there are fears the new variant might be more transmissible, that vaccines might be less effective against it and that it might affect one of the UK's major treatments, Ronapreve.

Belgium has become the first European country to confirm a case of the new variant. The European Union is already struggling to cope with fresh waves of coronavirus, and several countries have re-imposed lockdowns and restrictions.

Since Thursday a number of countries have placed restrictions on travel from southern Africa amid concerns about the variant.

The EU has agreed to ban flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, following a call to do so from the European Commission on Friday.

The US has also banned visitors from those countries, and from Malawi.

• TRAPPED AS THE WATERS ROSE: What happened when Hurricane Ida hit New York City
• 'BEING A SURGEON SHOWS YOU LIFE IS PRECIOUS': The doctors pushing science - and the human body - to its limits

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2021-11-27 08:23:05Z
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