Covid Omicron information – newest: ‘Deltacron’ seemingly from lab contamination and UK information 142,224 new circumstances

The daughter of a person who died after contracting Covid has mentioned it makes her “really feel sick” to assume Boris Johnson was allegedly “partying” on the day her father’s loss of life certificates was signed.

Shaun Brady, a key employee on the Kraft Heinz manufacturing facility in Wigan, died 4 days earlier than greater than 100 Downing Avenue workers have been reportedly invited to a celebration through the peak of the primary coronavirus lockdown.

The e-mail by the prime minister’s non-public secretary Martin Reynolds appeared to organise a “carry your individual booze” night gathering within the backyard of No 10, which might be one in every of many events mentioned to have been held by the federal government whereas social distancing rules have been in place.

Lamiat Sabin has the story:

The US Facilities for Illness Management on Monday suggested Individuals to “keep away from” journey to Canada as coronavirus circumstances, notably of the Omicron variant, proceed to brush the continent.

The CDC raised its warning degree to 4 – the best it has – concerning journey to the USA’ northern neighbour.

“Should you should journey to Canda, be sure you are absolutely vaccinated earlier than journey,” the CDC warned, persevering with: “Due to the present scenario in Canada, even absolutely vaccinated vacationers could also be in danger for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

Pfizer’s chief govt has mentioned that transferring towards a redesigned coronavirus vaccine that’s particularly focused to fight the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is the “almost definitely situation.”

Talking on the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Convention, Albert Bourla mentioned Pfizer and associate BioNTech SE are engaged on each an Omicron-specific vaccine, in addition to a jab that would come with each the earlier vaccine and the one focused on the new variant.

Mr Bourla mentioned the corporate could possibly be able to file for approval for a redesigned vaccine and begin producing it as quickly as March 2022.

Ikea has reduce sick pay for unvaccinated UK workers instructed to self-isolate after shut contact with somebody who has Covid-19.

Employees on the Swedish furnishings large may now recieve as little as £96.35 per week – the Statutory Sick Pay minimal – whereas they isolate.

Ikea, which has 21 giant shops and greater than 10,000 workers within the UK, mentioned it was an “emotive subject” however promised folks’s circumstances can be “thought of on a case by case foundation”.

Laurie Churchman has the story:

Passengers are being pressured to arrange camp in Benito Juarez Worldwide Airport, Mexico Metropolis, following a spike in Covid-19 circumstances amongst airline workers resulting in tons of of flight cancellations.

Varied Mexican airways have confronted a surge in circumstances amongst their workforce, together with pilots, inflicting a delay or cancellation of flights, leaving 1000’s of passengers to attend within the amenities for a brand new flight or assist from the airways.

Aeromexico, probably the most affected by the outbreak, canceled 260 flights in 5 days.

Greater than 100 Downing Avenue workers have been invited to a lockdown-breaking celebration within the No 10 backyard and instructed to “carry your individual booze”, a leaked electronic mail reveals.

The revelation heaps recent strain on Boris Johnson, who refused to say whether or not he had attended, however a supply instructed The Unbiased he had “frolicked” with workers for not less than an hour as they knocked again drinks.

The celebration befell on 20 Might 2020, as England was nonetheless rising from the strict first Covid lockdown and conferences with multiple different individual open air have been nonetheless banned.

Ashley Cowburn and Anna Isaac report:

The variety of folks in hospital with coronavirus in France leapt by 767 to 22,749 on Monday, the biggest each day surge since April 2021.

The full variety of hospitalisations remained properly beneath information set in Nov-Dec 2020, after they topped 700 for practically a month – peaked at 33,497 on 16 November.

In the meantime, new admissions to intensive care models rose by 57 to three,904 on Monday, their highest degree since mid-Might final yr.

A person awarded royal recognition for his efforts to help his area people in south east London through the pandemic is combating to make sure his proper to stay within the UK, following a years-long wrestle allegedly sparked by a House Workplace “administrative error”.

Vimal Pandya, aged 41, has been described as a “shining mild” and “pillar of the neighborhood” by residents in Rotherhithe, after working 18 to twenty hours per day through the first lockdown to make sure aged and weak folks acquired meals and important provides, which he delivered by foot.

His efforts have been such that Mr Pandya acquired a letter final February from Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Queen’s private consultant in London, thanking him for going “above and past the decision of responsibility” to help his neighborhood.

My colleague Andy Gregory studies: