UK

The scale of loss to COVID-19 is so vast, barely a community in the country can have been spared. In north London, John and Ida Sullivan have been suffering the pain of that loss for nearly two years. Their daughter Susan was one of the first to die from the virus, which has now claimed

The UK has recorded more than 150,000 COVID-related deaths since the start of the pandemic after the latest daily figures showed 313 further fatalities. It brings the total number of deaths reported within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test to 150,057. A further 146,390 COVID cases have also been reported, according to the latest

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has been directly challenged by an unvaccinated hospital consultant over the government’s policy of compulsory COVID jabs for NHS staff. During a visit to King’s College Hospital in south London, Mr Javid asked staff members on the intensive care unit about their thoughts on new rules requiring vaccination for NHS workers.

Some 200 Armed Forces personnel are being deployed to support the NHS in London as hospitals grapple with staff shortages. Military medics will assist NHS doctors and nurses with patient care, while general duty personnel will help fill gaps caused by other absences. The Royal College of Nursing has said the deployment means the government

The epicentre of the current COVID outbreak has moved from London to the North West of England and more older people are being admitted to hospital, new data reveals. The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) latest surveillance report also shows that the uptake of booster jabs is slowing in every age group. Rates in the

An estimated 1.3 million people living in the UK are suffering from self-reported long COVID, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows. The figures, valid from 9 November to 6 December, represents around 2% of the population. According to the ONS, prevalence of self-reported long COVID remained greatest in those who were: Aged

More than 20 NHS trusts have now declared a critical incident as the number of people in hospital with COVID hits the highest level since last February, amid rising pressure on health services from the surge in Omicron cases. It comes as Chris Hopson, the head of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, warned coronavirus hospitalisations

Weapons including firearms and hundreds of knives have been seized at crown courts during the pandemic, Sky News can reveal. More than 1,000 knives and other blades have been confiscated at the buildings – which deal with the most serious criminal cases – since April 2020, according to official data. A total of 73 “other

“Around a million people” are currently isolating as a result of coronavirus, a minister has said, as Sky News understands an announcement on the relaxation of testing rules will be announced today. “We don’t actually collect that data on a daily basis, but it’s obvious if you look at how many people tested positive yesterday,

Boris Johnson acknowledged the NHS is on a “war footing” but said he would not bring in further restrictions as he faces pressure from his own MPs. The prime minister used a news conference on the eve of a review of Plan B measures to perform a balancing act as COVID cases soar to record

Multiple hospitals have declared critical incidents amid warnings the NHS is “in a state of crisis” in the face of staff shortages caused by coronavirus and rising pressures. In a letter to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said the NHS can “ill afford” the current level of absences as it

Boris Johnson has warned it would be “absolute folly” to say the pandemic is over – but said Omicron “is plainly milder” than other variants. Despite a huge increase in coronavirus cases in recent weeks, the prime minister said the UK is in a better position than most other countries due to the “very, very

Ministers are “concerned” that the number of over-50s being admitted to hospital with COVID is rising, the education secretary has said. Despite the increasing numbers, Nadhim Zahawi became the second minister in two days to tell Sky News that coronavirus data does not currently suggest further restrictions are needed in England this week ahead of

England and Wales have reported 137,583 new COVID cases and 73 coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to official data. Figures from Scotland and Northern Ireland are going to be updated after the bank holiday weekend. It comes after England reported a record high of 162,572 new COVID cases on New Year’s Day.

The NHS faces intensifying strain over coming weeks as a “health emergency” created by pressures such as surging hospital admissions and staff absences build further, it has been warned. Matthew Taylor, head of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations in the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, acknowledged the current Omicron-driven wave of

Contingency plans are being drawn up over fears a quarter of public sector workers could be absent due to the Omicron wave of COVID infections. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told ministers to test preparations for a possible worst-case scenario as daily coronavirus numbers continue to hit record levels. All government departments are also renewing

A spectacular display in London has helped the UK usher in 2022, with people turning out to watch despite being encouraged to stay at home and enjoy the show on television. Details of the location of the spectacle, which involved a light show, drones and fireworks, were not revealed in advance amid the continuing spread

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is increasing significantly, it has been warned, with one hospital suspending visitors “due to health and safety concerns”. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the council at the British Medical Association, told Sky News: “What’s concerning is that we are seeing significant increases in people in hospital. “In

Lawyers for the woman who has accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault have rejected claims her lawsuit against the royal cannot go ahead because she is not a US resident. The Duke of York’s lawyers this week called for the civil case at a Manhattan court to be halted or thrown out because his accuser,

Leading scientists have warned that ongoing shortages of COVID tests across the UK are a “great concern” ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. In recent days there have been widespread shortages of lateral flow and PCR tests for delivery on the government’s portal, with no PCRs available across the UK this morning. Health Secretary Sajid