UK officials have been warned to brace for a significant increase in coronavirus infections by the country's main advisory panel, according to minutes released on Friday even as scientists said the jury was still out on the overall impact of the Omicron variant.
Medical experts at the sharp end of the Omicron outbreak have said it is not clear the emergence of the variant will be a step change in the pandemic. Prof Salim Abdool Karim, of the Africa Task Force for Coronavirus, said it was unclear if Omicron sufferers would need hospital treatment, but the feedback suggested “there're really no red flags” or that it was “dramatically different” to the Delta variant.
The Omicron Covid-19 variant could prove to be a “good thing” that might lead to the disease becoming less deadly, according to one leading virologist.
While far more infectious than the Delta variant, Omicron could prove to be less deadly than Delta, as early anecdotal evidence suggests, then it might give people only a “mild cold” rather than cause serious illness or death, Prof Jennifer Rohn said.
But she pointed out that in a worst-case scenario if the strain overtook Delta and was deadlier as well as vaccine resistant, it would cause many more deaths. More will become clear as research results come in.
Early evidence from South Africa has shown that while infection rates have surged, fatalities have fallen significantly. There has been a 388 per cent infection increase in the past week, rising to 11,000 on Thursday, but the deaths in the same period decreased by 33 per cent to 140 in the past week.
The UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) meeting in late November called for preparations for a future outbreak. "It is important to be prepared for a potentially very significant wave of infections with associated hospitalisations now, ahead of data being available," the Sage advisory notes said. Covid-19 infections recorded a weekly rise in the UK on Friday with 50,584 further cases, an increase of 1 per cent on the level seven days earlier.
“Omicron is probably more infectious but the question is, is it is it actually more dangerous?” said Prof Rohn, a leading virologist at University College London. “If it's not more dangerous, if it only gives you a mild cold, it could be a good thing. It may spread around the world and replace Delta, but with a less virulent strain. That would almost be a good thing.”
While deaths from Omicron in South Africa initially appear low, the country's population has an average age of 27 compared with a European Union average age of 44, with potentially more vulnerable people.
The Delta variant is ravaging Europe, killing more than 4,000 people a day with the continent braced for half a million deaths this winter.
It also is becoming clear that previous Covid infection does not provide protection against Omicron, although vaccines are likely to protect against serious illness, according to the World Health Organisation.
Scientists in South Africa have reported that Omicron is three times more likely to cause reinfection than previous variants such as Beta and Delta, meaning it can evade immunity from prior infection.
There is also further anecdotal data from Israel that suggests boosted individuals are fighting off Omicron, said Prof Rohn, who specialises in cell biology. “The more infectious variant will take over so it could supplant Delta and maybe that won't have so many repercussions. Or it could be deadlier. It’s either great news, or worrying news, or about the same.”
While millions of mutations were cropping up all the time, the virus was “working in a very restricted space” in which it can unlock a human cell for infection.
“It's trying to escape immunity, but it still has to perform and function,” Prof Rohn said. “With 90 per cent of people in the UK having antibodies against original Covid the more people that get boosted, even if it isn’t 100 per cent effective, the greater chance they have of fighting off the virus.”
But she said that it was still “theoretically possible” there was a “master virus lurking that we don't know about”, although the chances of that “are getting less and less”.
Fears over Omicron and Delta infections were reflected by Prof Peter Openshaw, from the UK’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, who cautioned against Christmas parties because “the chances of getting infected were too high”.
“Personally, I wouldn’t feel safe going to a party at the moment, if it involves being indoors in an enclosed space where you’re close to other people, and people are not wearing masks,” he told the BBC.
Scientists at the Ministry of Defence’s secure laboratory at Porton Down and elsewhere are now working round the clock to investigate Omicron’s lethality. They are examining whether the virus has escaped mutations that could get past the immunity built up by vaccinations, including the third booster jab. They are likely to report early next week.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight Championship AJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
Major matches on Manic Monday
Andy Murray (GBR) v Benoit Paire (FRA)
Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) v Roger Federer (SUI)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Gilles Muller (LUX)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Aahid Al Khalediah II, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Whistle, Harry Bentley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup - Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alsaied, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mumayaza, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
8pm: President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Medahim, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
RESULT
Fifth ODI, at Headingley
England 351/9
Pakistan 297
England win by 54 runs (win series 4-0)
Notable groups (UAE time)
Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)
Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)
Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)
Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Zach Johnson (4.04pm)
Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey, Adam Scott (4.26pm)
Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy (5.48pm)
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
