Covid LIVE: New version of Delta variant spreading in UK – fresh lockdown fears A DELTA subvariant of Covid is growing fast in the UK and currently accounting for around 12 percent of current cases, sparking fresh lockdown fears. By Rachel Hagan

       11:03, Thu, Nov 18, 2021 | UPDATED: 11:33, Thu, Nov 18, 2021

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       The highest prevalence of the variant was found in the South West (Image: GETTY)

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       According to a REACT survey of samples gathered by the Government, from October 19 to November 5, the variant is now at a two-fold higher prevalence than the previous full round of samples. The highest prevalence of the variant was found in the South West and most regions across the nation also saw an increase of Delta’s cousin. Professor Paul Elliott, director of the REACT programme from Imperial’s School of Public Health, said: “It is possible that the prevalence rate could rise once again now that children have returned to school following half-term.”

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       1 hour ago11:03 Rachel Hagan

       Virologists in the Netherlands propose extending holidays over Christmas

       Dutch virologists have proposed extending holidays over Christmas to slow a surge in Covid-19 cases among children that has forced half of schools nationwide to send classes home.

       This week saw a 44 percent increase of cases on the previous week, with the highest number among children aged 4-12. There were over 110,000 cases in a week.

       Immunologist Ger Rijkers told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper: "Children are virus factories and infect adults as well as each other. Keeping primary schools closed for longer is an effective way to keep the virus under control."

       According to a chart by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, all 12 Dutch provinces are expected to be dark red - the highest alert level - for the first time.

       The latest wave began after the government ended social distancing and other measures in September. Close to 85 percent of the population are vaccinated.

       Prime Minister Mark Rutte proposed to exclude the non-vaccinated from indoor events but he faced opposition in parliament.

       2 hours ago10:26 Rachel Hagan

       President of Saxony wants restrictions for everyone

       President of Saxony Michael Kretschmer, of the CDU party, has called for a ban on major events and the closure of bars and clubs. It is not yet known whether restaurants can remain open and it is assumed that the ban will extend to include Christmas markets

       Mr Kretschmer wants the restrctions in place on Monday for three weeks, but they still need to be coordinated with the coalition partners of the SPD and the Greens. A vote will take place in the Bundestag today.

       Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg

       2 hours ago09:53 Rachel Hagan

       Russia hits new record of daily Covid deaths

       Russia set a new high record for deaths today at 1,251. There were 37,374 daily Covid-19 infections.

       Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there is "no end in sight" to the Covid-19 pandemic in Russia yet.

       A Far East Russian region has become the first in the country to introduce vaccine passports for internal flights Wednesday and many other federal lawmakers are racing to mandate health passes for public transport and other areas.

       There is also two more Russian coronavirus vaccines under preclinical trials, according to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. So far the country has authorized four vaccines: Sputnik V, the one-dose Sputnik Light, EpiVacCorona and CoviVak.

       3 hours ago09:27 Rachel Hagan

       Virus surges across EU as 'Christmas cancelled' with new restrictions

       Covid is surging across Europe – and Christmas markets in Munich have been cancelled, sparking fears of more restrictions across the continent.

       Munich is the first major German city to cancel its iconic Christmas market. The city's mayor Dieter Reiter said it is “bitter news” but he had no choice with daily cases reaching a new record of 52,826 on Wednesday. Germany is not an outlier across the continent, The World Health Organisation has said last week that Europe was the only region in the world where COVID-related deaths increased last week

       Munich is the first major German city to cancel its iconic Christmas market (Image: Getty)

       4 hours ago08:41 Rachel Hagan

       Belgium joins Europe on tough Coronavirus measures

       Belgium had more than 10,000 new infections in under a week, last week. They saw 500 patients in ICU, with just 2000 beds in total.

       As a result, they have made home-working mandatory for four days a week and tightened rules on mask wearing.

       In the hospitality industry, in addition to using a Covid Safe Ticket (CST), staff and customers must wear a mask when they’re not seated. The rule also applies to theatres, concert venues, museums and cinemas. The CST will be required for events attended by at least 50 people indoors and at least 100 people outdoors.

       Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said: "The epidemiological situation is in the red, but fortunately, thanks to the effort of those who got vaccinated — nine in 10 adults are vaccinated — we're not facing a lockdown."

       Mr De Croo continued: "We are also going towards a very broad face mask obligation. This includes indoor areas, but also at events if they take place outside."

       4 hours ago08:10 Rachel Hagan

       Slovakia restrictions for the unvaccinated

       The Slovakian government is approving measures today which will limit movement for unvaccinated people, Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced.

       The country reported around 6,500 daily cases this week, with only 20 beds with ventilators available.

       Mr Heger said the government will allow vaccinated people to attend large events, and there will be strict testing measures in place for workplaces.

       Non-essential shops and services, sports, wellness and hotels will be open only for vaccinated people.

       Just 45 percent of Slovakia's population is vaccinated compared to the EU average of 64.9 percent.

       Mr Heger said the government will allow vaccinated people to attend large events (Image: PA Images)

       4 hours ago07:56 Rachel Hagan

       Stark Covid situation in Germany

       Germany reported a new daily record of 52,826 new infections on Wednesday and a further 294 people died, bringing the total to 98,274.

       Chancellor Angela Merkel called for an extra push on vaccinations, as less than 70 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, leaving them way behind other European countries such as Italy, Spain and Portugal.

       North Rhine Westphalia is set to ban unvaccinated people from entry to all non-essential facilities and events such as football matches.

       The Robert Koch Institute's, Germany’s disease control agency, director Lothar Wieler said: "We are currently heading toward a serious emergency. We are going to have a really terrible Christmas if we don’t take countermeasures now.”

       Mr Wieler cited vaccines as the most important measure to quell the spread of disease. He said vaccination rates must be significantly above 75 percent. Some regions in Germany have vaccination rates as low as 57.6 percent.

       4 hours ago07:50 Rachel Hagan

       Good morning

       Good morning from London. I’m Rachel Hagan, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on Coronavirus for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.

       Email: rachel.hagan@reachplc.com

       Twitter: @rachelhagan_