Coronavirus - 23rd November 2021

Summary for Tuesday, 23rd November

• The government has updated its Covid testing guidance in the run-up to Christmas, recommending that people in England take rapid lateral flow tests before going to high-risk settings
  
• This includes spending time in crowded areas such as busy shopping streets, or when visiting vulnerable people in enclosed spaces
  
• The latest Covid advice signals a shift from previous guidance to take lateral flow tests twice a week
  
• The UK recorded 44,917 new infections on Monday and 45 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test
  
• More than 50m people aged 12 and over in the UK have had a first vaccine dose, while more than 46m have had a second
  
• Covid booster jabs - initially offered to the over-50s, health and social care staff and people with certain health issues - are extended to the over 40s this week
  
• The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab may have played in a key role in preventing serious illness in the UK, the firm's boss tells the BBC
  
• Stormont ministers are set to meet later to discuss ways to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland
  

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK and around the world.
Here’s a quick roundup of the main headlines today:

• The UK government has updated its guidance to recommend people in England take rapid lateral flow tests before going to high-risk settings, such as crowded areas ahead of Christmas or visiting people at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19
  
• Covid infection rates have been rising sharply in parts of western Europe, prompting the introduction of fresh restrictions and lockdowns. It has triggered fears the UK could follow suit. But there are plenty of reasons to believe Britain will escape the worst of what is being seen on the continent, the BBC's Nick Triggle reports
  
• Covid booster jabs - initially offered to the over-50s, health and social care staff and people with certain health issues - are being extended to people aged 40 and over this week
  
• Stormont ministers are set to meet later to discuss ways to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland. It comes after the health minister warned falsehospitality businesses may have to close over Christmas unless transmission of the virus falls
  
• The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab may have played in a key role in preventing serious illness in the UK, the firm's boss has suggested to the BBC
  
• One-third of musicians were still earning nothing after Covid restrictions on live events were lifted this summer, a survey of 929 musicians in August by UK charity Help Musicians suggests
  
• India, a country of 1.35 billion which has struggled to curb the virus’ spread throughout much of its densely populated urban areas, reported the smallest rise in Covid infections on Tuesday.
  Another 7,579 new cases were recorded - the smallest rise in 18 months despite huge festival gatherings in recent weeks, government data reports.
  Authorities credit rising vaccinations and antibodies from prior infections.
  However, the situation in Europe is not showing signs of improvement:-
  
• Slovakia is considering a possible three-week lockdown, prime minister Eduard Heger said.
  
• US health officials are not currently recommending lockdowns or economic restrictions to curb rising Covid-19 cases, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday.
  
• France’s prime minister Jean Castex tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, hours after returning from a visit to neighbouring Belgium.
  
• France reported 5,266 daily new Covid-19 infections on Monday, pushing the seven-day moving average of new cases to an almost three-month high.
  
• France also sent police to Guadeloupe to quell violent Covid protests.
  
• Germany and the Netherlands are set to face tougher Covid restrictions.
  
• Germany issues stark warning. “Probably by the end of winter, more or less everyone in Germany will be vaccinated, cured or dead,” German health minister, Jens Spahn, said.
  
• The UK reported an additional 44,917 new Covid cases and 45 new deaths.
  
• Young people and women have taken the hardest psychological and financial hit from the pandemic, a YouGov survey has found.
  
• Greece imposes strict new Covid curbs, aimed at reducing Covid-19 infections that have pushed death rates to almost twice the EU average. The new restrictions went into effect as authorities struggled to convince older Greeks in particular to have the jab.
  
• Israel started rolling out vaccinations for five- to 11-year-olds in a bid to bring down rising Covid infections.
  
• Italy’s health minister announced that Italians will be able to get a Covid booster five months after their first vaccination cycle.
  
• The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response accused the UK of throwing unused vaccines “down the drain”.
  
• Boris Johnson says the UK government is “concerned” about Covid, but that there is nothing to suggest that the country should bring back restrictions, despite rising cases across Europe.
  
• India’s total Covid-19 cases reached 34.53m, death toll reaches 466,147, the health ministry said.
  
• Syrian test shortage: Officials in the Kurdish-controlled part of northeast Syria say they ran out of Covid tests two weeks ago and they are struggling to monitor the spread of the virus, Reuters reports.
  
• Experimental chewing gum may reduce virus spread, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania say.
  
• Canada to end Covid policy of turning back asylum-seekers.
  

UK Government issues new advice on risk-based Covid testing

People in England are being advised to take a rapid lateral flow test before going to high-risk settings, according to new government advice.
The updated guidance on Covid testing suggests people may want to test themselves before going to crowded and enclosed spaces or visiting people at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19.
Previous guidance urged people to take rapid tests twice a week or before visiting the medically vulnerable.
Although the latest advice does not mention specific examples, it comes in the run-up to Christmas when people may be picking up presents from busy shopping areas.
Lateral flow tests are available free online or can be collected from pharmacies.

Can UK avoid a Europe-style return to Covid lockdown?

As we have reported in the last few days, Covid infection rates have started rising sharply in parts of western Europe, with several countries introducing extra restrictions and lockdowns.
It has triggered fears the UK could follow suit. But in fact, the UK may well be in a strong position to weather Covid this winter.


Whereas England fully unlocked in mid-July, parts of Europe did not do this until the autumn, and in many places kept tougher restrictions in place even as they did.
The UK has, in effect, already had the wave the rest of Europe is seeing and has managed to avoid being swamped by it.
That is mainly because of the amount of immunity built up.
A combination of good vaccine rollout, particularly among the older more vulnerable groups who are the ones most at risk of serious illness, and natural immunity from infection, means there is likely to be a much smaller pool of vulnerable people for the virus to infect.
You can read Nick's full analysis here.

 

Nearly 1,200 UK Covid deaths in week ending 12 November- ONS

We've just had the latest Covid data from the weekly release by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The figures show that almost 1,200 deaths involving Covid-19 were recorded across the UK in the week ending 12 November.
In this period there were 13,780 deaths registered in total in the UK, which was 17% above the five-year average. A total of 1,197 involved Covid-19, up by three on the previous week.
The ONS data also shows there have been a total of 169,767 deaths in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Musicians struggling for gigs despite end to restrictions

Folk rockers Holy Moly and the Crackers went from 120 shows a year to no live gigs for 18 months

One-third of musicians were still earning nothing after restrictions on live events were lifted this summer, according to a new survey.
The music industry is one of the last sectors to recover, UK charity Help Musicians says - with 83% of professional musicians struggling to find any regular gigs.
The findings are based on a survey of 929 musicians conducted by the charity in August.
Almost 90% were earning less than £1,000 a month - while 22% were considering giving up music altogether.
Ruth Lyon of folk-rock band Holy Moly and the Crackers tells the BBC part of the problem was lots of venues decided to remain closed until they could totally reopen to full crowds.
Her group went from playing 120 shows a year pre-lockdown to almost 18 months off stage - causing their earnings to crash by more than 75% in 2020.
Read more about how the pandemic-hit music industry is faring here.

Northern Ireland could bring back restrictions if 'no alternative', minister says

Northern Ireland may have to re-introduce some Covid-19 restrictions if there are "no alternatives", a Stormont minister has said.
The NI Executive is meeting for a second day running to discuss its response to rising case numbers.
Justice Minister Naomi Long says they are "looking for ways that we can avoid having to take those drastic measures" - focusing on vaccine boosters and vaccine passports "to make high-risk venues as safe as possible".
The Alliance Party leader tells BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster there is a "critical period" ahead and "we still have it within our gift" to avoid the need for restrictions.
Health Minister Robin Swann warned yesterday hospitality businesses may have to close over Christmas unless cases in NI fall, after presenting a paper to ministers for consideration.
Read more here.

Slovakia eyes Covid lockdown possibility

Slovakia’s prime minister Eduard Heger is “intensively” considering a possible three-week lockdown amid a jump in Covid-19 cases, his office said on Monday.
The idea has been put forward by the Health Ministry, and Heger said expert opinion would be key in any decision.
The European nation is seeing some of the biggest rises in new cases in the world on per capita basis, his office said in emailed statement to Bloomberg on Monday.
Slovakia’s inoculation rate is also below the EU average. It’s former premier Robert Fico has publicly decried the use of face masks and participated in protests against coronavirus-related measures.
The move would mirror steps taken by neighbouring Austria to curb the rise of coronavirus-related deaths and new infections.

Covid patients in ICU now almost all unvaccinated, says Oxford scientist

Andrew Gregory- Health editor, The Guardian
Covid-19 is no longer a disease of the vaccinated, the head of the Oxford jab programme has said.
The “ongoing horror” of patients gasping for breath in hospital is now “largely restricted” to people who are unvaccinated, according to Prof Sir Andrew Pollard.
Even though the more transmissible Delta variant continues to infect thousands, most of those who are fully vaccinated will experience only “mild infections” that are “little more than an unpleasant inconvenience”.
Writing for the Guardian, Pollard said: “Among the general public, the pandemic is still regarded as a silent pestilence, made visible in the images of patients fighting for their next breath … This ongoing horror, which is taking place across ICUs in Britain, is now largely restricted to unvaccinated people.
“Generally, Covid-19 is no longer a disease of the vaccinated; vaccines tend to limit its suffocating affliction, with a few exceptions.”
Read more.

Ukraine’s latest Covid update

The Ukraine Ministry of Health states there have been 12,729 new confirmed cases of Covid (including 1,058 cases in children and 231 cases in healthcare workers) were recorded on 22 November.
The seven-day average for daily news cases is running at 17,202. That is trending down from 21,174 a week ago.

Germany's acting health minister describes situation as 'dramatic'

Germany's acting health minister called on Tuesday for further restrictions to contain a “dramatic” surge in coronavirus cases as the country’s infection rate hit a record high and the United States advised against travel there.
The seven-day incidence rate - the number of people per 100,000 to be infected over the last week - hit 399.8 on Tuesday, up from 386.5 on Monday, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed.
Acting health minister Jens Spahn called for more public spaces to be restricted to those who were vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid-19 and also had a negative test, in a bid to contain the spread.
Spahn did not rule out lockdowns, although he said this would be decided region by region. Some regions such as the hard-hit Saxony and Bavaria are already taking measures such as cancelling Christmas markets.
“The situation is not only serious, in some regions in Germany it is now dramatic,” Spahn told German Radio. “We are having to move patients around as the intensive care units are full and that doesn’t just affect Covid-19 patients.”
The surge in cases in Germany, and in neighbouring Denmark, prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday to advise against travel to the two countries, raising its travel recommendation to “Level Four: Very High”.

Dutch police said Tuesday they had arrested at least 21 people during a fourth night of unrest over coronavirus measures, although the situation had calmed down.
Agence France-Presse report that small groups caused trouble in Zwolle, Groningen and Roosendaal on Monday night though not on the scale of violence that rocked major cities at the weekend.
Police in the northern city of Zwolle arrested 13 people after declaring an emergency situation. The suspects were detained for offences including possession of fireworks, disobeying police orders and having no ID, broadcaster RTL said.
More than 150 people have now been arrested across the country during protests against coronavirus measures that came into force on 13 November.
The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has lambasted protestors as “idiots” people who turned to “pure violence”. Rutte told Dutch media that their actions had “nothing to do with demonstrating” but were “a pure explosion of violence directed against our police, against our firefighters, against ambulance drivers”.

Today so far

• Germany’s acting health minister Jens Spahn called for more public spaces to be restricted to those who were vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid-19 and also had a negative test, in a bid to contain the spread. Spahn did not rule out lockdowns, although he said this would be decided region by region. “The situation is not only serious, in some regions in Germany it is now dramatic,” Spahn told German Radio. “We are having to move patients around as the intensive care units are full and that doesn’t just affect Covid-19 patients.”
  
• Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will be giving a statement to MSPs later today which is expected to confirm whether Scotland’s Covid passport scheme will be expanded from 6 December to additionally cover bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. Business leaders have warned it could wreck Christmas party bookings, citing the Scottish government’s own research suggesting almost a third of 18 to 29-year-olds could be denied entry.
  
• The Northern Ireland Executive is meeting again today to discuss the possibility of further Covid restrictions in the country. The uncertainty surrounding plans for Covid passports has been criticised by Hospitality Ulster, a trade group representing the sector. A spokesperson said “Those statements say to our workers: ‘You might not have a job before Christmas’ and it says to customers, ‘Stay away’”.
  
• UK Labour MP Sarah Owen has criticised anti-vaccine protests outside schools, saying “Children should just be able to go to school. I think they’ve had a horrible last two years. The last thing they should be doing is being confronted with people who are being aggressive, or who are looking to threaten them, or threaten teaching staff or their parents. It’s completely unacceptable.”
  
• Prof Sir Andrew Pollard has said that Covid-19 is no longer a disease of the vaccinated. Pollard, one of those behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, said “Among the general public, the pandemic is still regarded as a silent pestilence, made visible in the images of patients fighting for their next breath … This ongoing horror, which is taking place across ICUs in Britain, is now largely restricted to unvaccinated people.”
  
• Former UK “vaccine tsar” Kate Bingham, who stepped down from her role last year, has been highly critical of civil service and government preparedness for the pandemic, telling the Times newspaper: “The machinery of government is dominated by process, rather than outcome, causing delay and inertia. There is an obsessive fear of personal error and criticism, a culture of groupthink and risk aversion that stifles initiative and encourages foot-dragging. Currently, there is too much emphasis on ‘How will this play with the media or the select committee?’ rather than ‘What are we trying to achieve and how will we do it?’
  
• Police in the Netherlands said on Tuesday they had arrested at least 21 people during a fourth night of unrest over coronavirus measures, although the situation had calmed down. The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has lambasted protesters as “idiots”.
  
• Israel has begun administering the coronavirus vaccine to children age five to 11. Media have reported low demand for the jabs, with prime minister Naftali Bennett expected to accompany his nine year old son David later today to get his shot in a bid to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated.
  
• India, a country of 1.35 billion which has struggled to curb the virus’ spread throughout much of its densely populated urban areas, reported the smallest rise in Covid infections for 18 months on Tuesday. Another 7,579 new cases were recorded - despite fears that huge festival gatherings in recent weeks would spark a new surge.
  
• France’s prime minister Jean Castex tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, hours after returning from a visit to neighbouring Belgium.
  
• Greece has imposed strict new Covid curbs, aimed at reducing Covid-19 infections that have pushed death rates to almost twice the EU average. The new restrictions went into effect as authorities struggled to convince older Greeks in particular to have the jab.
  
• Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, has said that the company’s plan to move to making profit on Covid vaccines will not hit the world’s poorest countries, and will not come into effect for some time. He said “We will of course adapt to every circumstance and countries that have low purchasing power will be supplied at no profit or very low price and others will be a bit more.”
  
• Slovakia’s prime minister Eduard Heger is “intensively” considering a possible three-week lockdown amid a jump in Covid-19 cases, his office has said.
  

What is a lateral flow test and how do I get one?

As we mentioned earlier, people in England are being advised to take free lateral flow tests before going to crowded places, or spending time with people who are at higher risk from the virus.
They were previously asked to take lateral flow tests twice a week.
You can read the government's updated guidance here.


But what is a lateral flow test and how do I get one?
Across the UK, you may be offered a test through your employer or school.
Anyone without symptoms can order a box of lateral flow tests online using your NHS login.
Lateral flow tests work by detecting material from the surface proteins of the virus. They can be done at home and show results in 20-30 minutes.
Find out more about testing yourself for Covid by reading our explainer.

People in Northern Ireland to be encouraged to work from home under new Covid measures
Stormont ministers have agreed a series of new Covid measures for Northern Ireland.
Ministers met this morning to continue discussions on proposals recommended by health minister Robin Swann.
People will be encouraged to work from home where possible and the executive has instructed its Covid taskforce to look at issues around enforcing mask wearing and a system of rating businesses on their compliance to Covid measures, reports PA Media.
Yesterday there were three new Covid deaths reported in Northern Ireland and an additional 1,469 cases.
First minister, Paul Givan, tweeted:

NHS staff 'crashing and burning out', former A&E nurse says

We've been speaking to NHS workers about the toll the pandemic has taken on their mental health.
One former A&E nurse, Emily Moorhouse from London, says she and her colleagues have "run off adrenalin for the past year and that adrenalin is running out".
She tells the BBC: "We're all coming to the point where we're all just crashing and burning out."
Emily has now moved to a community nursing role, but many others have left the profession entirely.
While the Nursing and Midwifery register indicates the number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates has grown by 1.8% to just under 745,000 - it also shows the number of people leaving the profession is at its highest rate since 2017, with nearly 14,000 quitting between April and September.

We test for Covid if we go out, I hope everyone does the same'

People have been speaking to the BBC about how they're feeling going into the winter, in light of the updated advice on testing.
Jane Pittard from south London is a carer for her son, who is in his 20s and has autism and learning disabilities.
Both have had three Covid jabs, but Jane, who is in her 50s, says they're still being very careful.
She says: "If we go anywhere, we take a [Covid] test and we’ve done that from the start and I hope everybody would do the same."
If everybody took Covid tests when going out, she says it would give her "more confidence" that her son was not likely to catch Covid.
She admits she would struggle to cope if her son had to isolate for 10 days.
"If he got Covid, he would have to stay in and he would climb the walls.
"He wouldn’t understand why he had to stay in, he would say ‘you said lockdown was over, what do we have to stay in for?’"

Europe likely to pass 2m deaths by March - WHO

There have been protests over coronavirus restrictions in European countries including Belgium in recent days

Europe is likely to experience more than two million Covid-19 deaths by March, the World Health Organization (WHO) is warning.
The body says the European region remains "in the firm grip" of the coronavirus pandemic, with reported daily deaths rising to almost 4,200 a day - double the 2,100 deaths a day at the end of September.
Reported deaths from the virus have already passed the 1.5 million mark for the 53 countries that make up the WHO European region, the global health agency says.
Cumulative reported deaths are projected to reach more than 2.2 million by spring next year, based on current trends, the WHO says.
Dr Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, says people need to take a "vaccine plus approach", by getting the standard dose as well as any boosters offered and incorporating preventative measures into their normal routines.
According to health body, the three main factors driving the high cases in Europe are the spread of the Delta variant; people being unvaccinated or having waning immunity; and the fact that some countries have indicated to their populations that "Covid no longer represents an emergency threat".

Covid cases on the rise in Europe

French PM Jean Castex and Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo are isolating after the former tested positive for Covid

That WHO warning follows a rise in Covid cases across much of Europe in recent days.
Here's what's been happening on the continent:

• Austria entered a national lockdown yesterday despite protests. Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said he was sorry the country had to make Covid jabs mandatory but said the low take-up rate is "too little, too late"
  
• Like in the first wave, the Netherlands has begun sending coronavirus patients to Germany, with the first to be transferred from Rotterdam to Bochum this morning
  
• Dutch police say they have arrested at least 21 people during a fourth night of unrest over coronavirus measures, according to the AFP news agency
  
• Germany's health minister Jens Spahn has given a stark warning saying that by the end of the winter everyone in Germany will be "vaccinated, recovered or dead" with the infection rate at the highest level since the pandemic began
  
• France's Prime Minister Jean Castex has tested positive for Covid and is self-isolating. His Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo is reportedly also isolating, alongside officials, after the pair met on Monday
  
• Poland reported 19,936 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, up 20% from a week ago. The government has been reluctant to impose restrictions but health minister Adam Niedzielski said that if the infection rate does not begin to fall by mid-December, then measures may be reintroduced
  

Ministers warn Covid has taken 'firm grip' in Northern Ireland again

Senior politicians in Northern Ireland have warned that coronavirus has "once again taken a firm grip across our society".
The warning follows recommendations from the Stormont executive that people should work from home where possible, amid rising cases in Northern Ireland.
Ministers are also advising the public to limit their social contacts and wear face coverings in indoor settings.
In a joint statement, ministers said: "Hospital admissions are rising and modelling indicates that admissions will increase further in the coming weeks.
"The clear advice from public health experts is that an intervention is now required."
Read more here.

What's the Covid transmission picture like in Northern Ireland?

The latest Stormont announcement comes as Covid infections are on the rise in Northern Ireland with the seven-day average for new cases now at 1,663 as of Friday.
That's up about 150 compared to the week before.
Monday saw 1,469 cases reported, a slight rise on the 1,457 reported for the same day the week before - although the beginning of the week usually has lower figures due to reporting lags over the weekend.
Of course, politcians in all four UK nations are keeping a close watch on how rising Covid rates are affecting hospitals as we head towards the crucial winter period.
As of Saturday there were 378 patients with Covid in Northern Ireland's hospitals.

The Northern Ireland executive has released a statement in which it says that it is clear from public health experts that “an intervention is now required” on Covid:

Covid-19 has once again taken a firm grip across our society. Community transmission of the virus is increasing. Hospital admissions are rising and modelling indicates that admissions will increase further in the coming weeks.The clear advice from public health experts is that an intervention is now required.
Our people - individuals, families, communities and businesses - have been through so much during this pandemic. Our collective aim is to reduce pressure on our hospitals while allowing our society and the economy to remain open as fully and safely as possible.
That means we all need to take action to prevent a worsening of the situation that would potentially require more severe measures.

Sturgeon set to announce decision on expansion of Scottish vaccine passport scheme

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to make a statement at Holyrood shortly about whether Scotland's vaccine passport system will be expanded to cover more venues.
Since October, people in Scotland have been required to show proof of vaccination to enter nightclubs and large events like gigs and football matches.
The Scottish government has been considering extending this to other settings - as well as strengthening rules around the wearing of face coverings and home working - amid concerns about pressure on the health services over winter.
You can read more here.

Dutch Covid patients transferred to Germany as hospitals struggle to cope

The Netherlands has started transporting coronavirus patients to Germany in a bid to ease pressure on hospitals struggling to cope with a surge in cases.
Health authorities said that one patient was transferred by ambulance from Rotterdam to Bochum, a city 150 miles away in western Germany, this morning and that another would be transported to the same hospital later today, reports Reuters.
Covid patients in Dutch hospitals are at their highest level since May and are predicted to rise further as infections hit record levels.
German hospitals have offered 20 beds to the Netherlands.
The Dutch government has announced plans to bring in further restrictions, leading to three nights of rioting.
On Monday, 470 of 1,050 intensive care beds in the country were being used for Covid patients and hospitals are reducing normal care, including cancer treatments and heart operations.

UK public urged to take rapid Covid test before mixing in crowded indoor spaces in change to government guidelines

People in the UK were today urged to take a rapid Covid test before mixing in crowded indoor spaces, marking a change in government and NHS guidance.
Previously, the guidance advised the public to use lateral flow tests twice a week.
The new advice, released just over a month before Christmas, also advises people to take a rapid test before visiting a person who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid.
People who develop coronavirus symptoms continue to be encouraged to self-isolate and to get a PCR test.
According to the government website, around one in three people who have Covid do not have symptoms.
The advice says:

You are at higher risk of catching or passing on Covid-19 in crowded and enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and where there is limited fresh air.
You may wish to take a rapid lateral flow test if it is expected that there will be a period of high risk that day.
This includes spending time in crowded and enclosed spaces, or before visiting people who are at higher risk of severe illness if they get Covid-19.

The guidance also urges people to let fresh air in for indoor meetings and to wear face masks in “crowded and enclosed areas where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet”.

France’s prime minister, Jean Castex, has been criticised as an example of how not to behave in a pandemic after testing positive for Covid-19.
Videos of the prime minster vigorously shaking hands with officials in an enclosed space in Paris on 16 November have been circulating online, with many pointing out that his actions went against French official guidance.

French prime minister Jean Castex pictured on Monday at Egmont Palace in Brussels. Photograph: Olivier Matthys/AP

They also criticised him for calling the French Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe’s enforcement of Covid measures “irresponsible” while not following rules himself, reports the Associated Press.
Gabriel Attal, a government spokesman, defended the videos, saying: “We are all only human.”
Castex’s office said the 52-year-old contracted Covid from his 11-year-old daughter and is self-isolating for 10 days. AP reports that it is unclear whether Castex, who was vaccinated in the spring, has symptoms and that his office was not immediately available for comment.

Sturgeon calls on Scottish public to take a Covid test before any social occasion as cases rise across Europe
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has urged people to get a Covid test before all social occasions as she called for an “extra effort” in the leadup to Christmas.
In a statement to MSPs about Covid, Sturgeon urged the public to get a lateral flow test before any social occasion and before going shopping in order to minimise the risk of transmission and to avoid a “new year hangover” of more cases, pressure on the NHS and further restrictions.
She also called on people to continue wearing face masks in shops and hospitality settings, open windows while socialising to ensure good ventilation and to work from home when possible.
She said Scotland’s Covid certification scheme would remain in place for at least a further three weeks and that from 6 December it will also allow people to show a negative test (currently only proof of vaccination can be shown).
By sticking to Covid restrictions, Sturgeon said she hopes it will allow people to have a “much more normal Christmas”.

Covid infections in the Netherlands break new weekly record

Coronavirus cases in the Netherlands hit a new weekly record today - rising by 39% - and intensive care unit admissions rose sharply.
The new figures show a 19% rise in hospital admissions over the last week and a 26% rise in intensive care unit admissions.
The Dutch health institute said 265 people had died of Covid in the last week, bringing the Netherlands’ overall death toll to more than 19,000.
It comes after the government yesterday introduced new parliament legislation that would allow them to restrict access for unvaccinated people to bars, restaurants and museums if cases keep rising.

Following a meeting of the Northern Ireland executive (see also 13:02), first minister Paul Givan said they were “very much united” in asking the public to help try to minimise the spread of coronavirus and that they had considered a number of papers from health minister Robin Swann.
He said:

We are all very much united in asking the public to play its part along with us as politicians, that we can take every effort to try and minimise the transmission rate of the coronavirus.
So we appeal again to redouble our efforts when it comes to trying to minimise some of those contacts, whenever it comes to having good ventilation, where you are meeting indoors try to meet outdoors more often.

And we are emphasising that need to work from home where you can and for employers to support that.

We recognise that in some circumstances that isn’t possible and practically people do need to be in their workplace.

He added:

There is hope that we can come through this period over the next number of weeks by making that collective effort and taking personal responsibility seriously.

The deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, said “now is the time for action to avoid further restrictions at a later date.
She said:

These are uncertain times, but now is the time for action and if we want to achieve the best possible outcome right now, then now is the time to act. This is our best chance of avoiding further restrictions down the line. That is why we are asking people to comply. We are reinforcing measures around the work from home messaging if you can.

Swann said the agreed measures were about “keeping our society open and safe, but also delivering that message of hope in regards of where we can be.”
He added:

We are seeing what is happening in other countries across Europe, and we think, in regards to these early interactions now, that we can prevent those escalations in cases, also in hospitalisations and the additional pressures coming on our health service as well.

The time is now to take these actions so that in future we don’t have to take any further action and that is what the executive has agreed collectively.

Further 42,484 new Covid cases in the UK

There have been 42,484 new cases of Covid reported across the UK, according to the latest figures.
That's up from the 37,243 reported this time last week, but a slight fall on yesterday's 44,917.
There have also been a further 165 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test across the UK.
Some 88.3% of people over the age of 12 have received one dose of a vaccine, while 80.3% are fully vaccinated. And 27.2% have received a booster or third shot.

'We don't want to end up like Europe'

As we've been reporting today, the UK government has updated its guidance to recommend that people in England should take free NHS lateral flow tests (LFTs) before going to high-risk settings this winter - moving away from previous advice to take tests twice a week. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has issued similar guidance.
We've been hearing from people on what they think about the latest testing advice, and how they feel about Covid going into the winter.
'We don't want to end up like Europe'


John Galley lives with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Type 2 Diabetes.
The 78-year-old from Kent says he continues to wear a face covering when he goes out and believes that if the government reintroduced mandatory mask wearing there would be no need for Covid testing.
John argues the government has not been strong enough in making masks mandatory, especially given the high number of positive cases in the UK and Europe - where some lockdowns have been introduced.
"[There are around] 40,000 cases [a day in the UK], I know there are not so many deaths, but there are people dying from it.
"They are not making masks mandatory, what we don’t want is to end up like Europe.”
'How much difference will the new guidance make?'
Sheree is currently in isolation after she, her husband and her two daughters recently tested positive for Covid-19.
She believes the lateral flow test guidance change is a “good thing” as based on their experience, the lateral flow tests have been picking up the virus faster.
They had some negative PCR test results and positive lateral flows before eventually testing positive with PCR tests recently.
But she is sceptical about the impact the government's updated advice will have.
“We wear masks, we test regularly. I don’t know how much of a difference the new guidance is going to make because the people that are will probably be doing these things anyway, those that are not will probably continue not to.”

Take personal responsibility, Northern Ireland first minister asks

There's been a lot of reaction to the news that people in Northern Ireland are now being urged to work from home "where possible". And First Minister Paul Givan says the executive is "very much united" in asking the public to play its part to curb the spread of Covid.
He says ministers are appealing to people to redouble their efforts when it comes to minimising contacts, having good ventilation and trying to meet outdoors.
"We are emphasising that need to work from home where you can, and for employers to support that," he says.
The first minister adds: "There is hope that we can come through this period over the next number of weeks by making that collective effort and taking personal responsibility seriously."
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill says it is a moment to "reset and refocus on where we are", adding that this is the "best chance to avoid restrictions down the line".

France reports Covid infection surge

France has announced that there were more than 30,000 Covid infections in the past 24 hours, Reuters reports.
On Monday, France reported 5,266 new cases.

Protesters in French overseas territories in the Caribbean opposing measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 have clashed again with security forces.
AFP reports:

Hardline opponents of measures that include compulsory vaccination for healthworkers on the island of Guadeloupe manned barricades of burning tyres while on Martinique police were targeted by gunfire.
Anger over the Covid measures imposed by Paris has fanned longstanding grievances in the territories that are popular with moneyed tourists but where poverty levels are far higher than in mainland France.
As a result residents have long felt marginalised by the central government.

UK reports 42,484 new Covid cases and 165 additional deaths, as weekly cases rise by 9%
There were a further 42,484 Covid-19 cases confirmed by labs in the UK, official data shows.
The weekly tally was up by 9% to reach 297,658 who have tested positive.
Government figures showed a further 165 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday, bringing the UK total to 144,137.
Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 169,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Covid cases have increased in 75% of UK local authorities

According to an analysis of the Covid case rates across the UK, 75% of local authorities underwent a week-on-week rise in the seven days to 19 November.
The figures, calculated by PA Media, found that Torridge in Devon had the highest rate in the UK, with 697 new cases during the period (equivalent to 1,014 per 100,000 people), followed by Mid Ulster in Northern Ireland, with 1,277 new cases (857 per 100,000), and Gwynedd in Wales, which had 1,059 cases (846 per 100,000).
Moray had Scotland’s highest rate with 542 cases per 100,000 people.
The five areas in the UK with the biggest week-on-week rises were: East Hampshire, Richmondshire, Elmbridge, the Shetland Islands and Mid Ulster.

The Catalonia region of Spain is to demand proof of Covid vaccination or a negative test for entry to bars, restaurants and stadiums amid rising infection rates.
Although 79% of Spain’s population is vaccinated and infection levels remain far below those in Austria and the Netherlands, authorities in Catalonia want to reduce risk of infection and “avoid overloading the health system”.
Catalonia, which already requires a Covid pass for nightclub entry, has a 14-day infection rate of 183 cases per 100,000 people, above the Spanish average of 132. Above 150 is viewed as “high risk”.

A reminder of what's been happening today:

• The power sharing executive in Northern Ireland has warned that coronavirus has "once again taken a firm grip", and is urging people to work from home where possible
  
• Scotland will not extend its Covid passport scheme to more venues but will allow people to present a negative lateral flow test as well as proof of vaccination, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.  She also encouraged people to take a lateral flow test before visiting crowded places or vulnerable people, in line with a change in advice for people in England
  
• In Europe, the French prime minister has said he is doing well and working from isolation after testing positive for Covid
  
• The World Health Organization has warned that Europe is likely to see almost 700,000 deaths this winter on current trends - taking the total to 2.2 million since the pandemic began
  
• The UK has recorded a further 42,484 new cases and reported another 165 deaths
  
• Justin Trudeau has said that his top priority for his new government is to get Covid-19 in Canada under control and get more people vaccinated. In a speech outlining his legislative agenda for a new session of parliament after September’s election, the Canadian prime minster pledged support to Canadian industries, which he said were still struggling due to the pandemic.
  
• According to an analysis of the Covid case rates across the UK, 75% of local authorities experienced a week-on-week rise in the seven days to 19 November. The figures, calculated by PA Media, found that Torridge in Devon had the highest rate in the UK, followed by Mid Ulster in Northern Ireland and Gwynedd in Wales.
  
• Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has warned that European airlines face a slump in Christmas and early summer travel, claiming lockdown fears are putting people off booking holidays.
  
• There were a further 42,484 Covid-19 cases confirmed by labs in the UK and 165 additional deaths, official data shows. The weekly tally was up by 9% to reach 297,658 who have tested positive.
  
• France has announced that there were more than 30,000 Covid infections in the past 24 hours. On Monday, France reported 5,266 new cases.
  
• Coronavirus cases in the Netherlands hit a new weekly record on Tuesday – rising by 39% – and intensive care unit admissions rose sharply. The figures show a 19% rise in hospital admissions over the last week and a 26% rise in intensive care unit admissions.
  
• Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has urged people to get a Covid test before all social occasions as she called for an “extra effort” in the leadup to Christmas.
  
• People in the UK were today urged to take a rapid Covid test before mixing in crowded indoor spaces, marking a change in government and NHS guidance. Previously, the guidance advised the public to use lateral flow tests twice a week.
  
• Spanish government researchers have signed a licensing agreement for their coronavirus antibody test that means other manufacturers will be able to make it. It is hoped that the move, which marks the first time a manufacturer has allowed its Covid test to be included in a World Health Organization technology pool, will boost testing in poor countries.
  
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s husband has told of his astonishment that around a third of Germans are not vaccinated, blaming it in part on “a certain German laziness and complacency”. Joachim Sauer, who until his retirement four years ago was a professor of quantum chemistry, told Italian newspaper La Repubblica, as reported by its German partner Die Welt: “It’s astonishing that a third of the population is not following scientific evidence.”
  
• The Netherlands has started transporting coronavirus patients to Germany in a bid to ease pressure on hospitals struggling to cope with a surge in cases. Health authorities said that one patient was transferred by ambulance from Rotterdam to Bochum, a city 150 miles away in western Germany, this morning and that another would be transported to the same hospital later today.
  
• Europe’s coronavirus death toll is likely to exceed 2 million by March, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. The global health agency said that Europe remains “in the firm grip” of the pandemic. Daily deaths have risen to nearly 4,200 a day – double the figure for the end of September.
  
• Stormont ministers have agreed a series of new Covid measures for Northern Ireland. Ministers met this morning to continue discussions on proposals recommended by health minister Robin Swann.