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BREAKING

Omicron

A new variant of Covid named Eris has emerged as figures show a spike in hospital admissions this summer

New Covid variant found in UK

Symptoms of Arcturus as new Covid strain claims five lives

New highly-infectious covid strain Arcturus kills five Brits

New Covid variant Arcturus has been found in the UK

Arcturus: New Covid variant found in UK

Ponteland councillor Richard Dodd.

Covid misinformation 'cabal' attacked by councillor

Data reveals the top ten words and names Brits struggle to pronounce the most including Niamh, Omicron & Açaí

Data reveals the top ten words and names Brits struggle to pronounce

The new variant is set to be more transmissible than Omicron (Adobe)

New Covid variant nicknamed ‘The Kraken’ is ‘more transmissible’

UK approve COVID vaccine that targets original strain and Omicron

Royal Mail to hike stamp prices again despite cost of living crisis

Liz Morgan, Northumberland director of public health.

Health chiefs' warning as North East Covid cases rise – just weeks before testin...

HMP Northumberland.

Covid outbreak at HMP Northumberland

Bondi Beach: Australia to re-open its borders from February 21. Photo: Getty Images

Travel column with Katie Butler: Australia to ease its Covid travel restrictions...
It seems to be getting easier, it is certainly getting busier and holidays are most definitely in high demand.

Used car sales jump in ‘volatile’ year as EV demand rockets

The Government is expected to announce a U-turn on mandatory Covid jabs for NHS staff (Photo: Getty Images)

Mandatory Covid jabs for NHS workers ‘to be scrapped’ amid staff shortage fears

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Sir James Mackey.

Health trust says it is close to clearing backlog for operations

Sainsbury’s is still recommending that shoppers and staff wear face masks inside its stores (Photo: Getty Images)

Sainsbury’s issues face mask update ahead of Plan B rule changes

The WHO says the pandemic is approaching its “endgame” in Europe (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid pandemic reaching ‘endgame’ - but shouldn’t be treated like flu

The new website will launch by the end of March 2022 (Photo: Getty Images)

Primark announces new website launch date - how online store will work

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured ahead of PMQs on Wednesday, January 19. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images.

When the Covid Plan B rules will lift in England

Face masks will no longer be mandatory anywhere in England from 27 January (Photo: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson confirms all Plan B restrictions to end in England

Vaccines are the best defence against severe disease and death, says the WHO (Photo: Getty Images)

Worst of Omicron wave ‘done with’ says WHO - but pandemic far from over

Boris Johnson is expected to confirm an easing of Plan B rules today (Photo: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson to give update on lifting Covid Plan B rules today

5,000 teenagers double jabbed

Over 5,000 Northumberland teenagers now double jabbed

Around 40,000 teenagers in England will be eligible for their top-up dose from Monday (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid booster jabs to be offered to 16 and 17 year-olds from Monday

Covid passports are reportedly set to be scrapped in England this month (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid passports to be scrapped ‘this month’ as Omicron wave eases

Holiday bookings are up as travel restrictions are eased. Photo: Getty Images

Testing requirements eased for vaccinated passengers returning back into England

Triple jab numbers

Over 200,000 'triple jabbed' in Northumberland

Cypriots wait in line to receive the third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at a walk-in vaccination centre (Photo: Getty Images)

Experts dismiss claims of new ‘Deltacron’ Covid strain found in Cyprus

Travel restrictions between the UK and France have been eased slightly (Photo: Getty Images)

France eases restrictions for UK travellers after ‘supersonic’ rise in Covid cas...

(Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

The warning symptom of Omicron that appears on skin, lips and nails

Troops to be deployed in London to help NHS amid staff shortages (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Troops to be deployed in London to help NHS amid staff shortages

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has written to local councils

£30million+ support for North East businesses hit by Omicron variant

Increased Covid-19 rates are putting extra pressure on NHS services.

NHS under pressure as Covid rates in Northumberland hit record high

The Shields Ferry will stop an evening service from January 9 due to the Covid pandemic.

No evening service on Shields Ferry to protect service from Covid

The rise of the Omicron variant has caused the return of some Covid restrictions.

Watch: 'All of my family have had Covid over Christmas' - how has Omicron affect...

Scrapping international travel restrictions would have no impact on case rates, claims travel industry (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

Scrapping international travel restrictions would have no impact on case rates, ...

Boris Johnson to stick with ‘Plan B’ Covid measures despite mounting pressures (Photo by JACK HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Boris Johnson to stick with ‘Plan B’ Covid measures despite mounting pressures

Boris Johnson confirms Plan B rules to continue as UK daily cases hit record hig...

Worst of the pandemic is ‘absolutely behind us’ according to leading vaccine scientist Photo by JACOB KING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Worst of the pandemic is ‘absolutely behind us’ according to leading vaccine sci...

We take a look at the hcurrent travel restrictions in England as we enter 2022.

Covid travel and quarantine rules for England

Exotic pets, like scorpions and venomous spiders, caused dozens of hospitalisations (image: Shutterstock)

Thousands injured by unusual activities during Covid lockdowns

Ministers to review Omicron data to decide if tighter measures will be needed in England (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Ministers to review Omicron data to decide if tighter measures will be needed in...

Paxlovid has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (Photo: Shutterstock)

New oral Covid antiviral treatment given approval for use in UK

The self-isolation period starts immediately from the onset of symptoms or a positive test (Photo: Shutterstock)

The rules on leaving self-isolation if you still test positive after 10 days

Work on eight hubs is due to begin this week (Photo: Getty Images)

New Covid Nightingale ‘surge hubs’ being set up to manage Omicron wave

Alnwick traders have been giving their thoughts on possible new Covid restrictions.

Alnwick traders braced for Covid restrictions
Alnwick traders fear Covid restrictions are coming in the new year.

Cost of living: families could face financial 'catastrophe' in 2022 with many set for £1,200 hit to income (Photo: Shutterstock)

Families could face financial ‘catastrophe’ with £1,200 hit to income

Travel Bosses demand end to expensive Covid tests for Brits returning from holidays as Omicron 'has already spread' (Photo: Shutterstock)

Travel bosses demand end to expensive Covid tests as Omicron ‘has already spread...

Boris Johnson made an urgent plea for people to come forward for their booster (Photo: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson warns 90% of people in ICU have not had Covid booster

The NHS is wishing everyone a 'Jabby New Year' and calling for as many people as possible to get boosters.

NHS renews calls for people to book a Covid booster

A lateral flow test result is interpreted by the two letters on the device (Photo: Shutterstock)

What it means if Covid lateral flow test result shows a faint red line

A return to the “rule of six” for England is one of the options reportedly being considered by government officials amid the spread of the Omicron Covid variant (Photo: Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Return to 'rule of six' for England being considered amid Omicron spread

Those who are infected with Omicron may develop a hoarse voice (Photo: Shutterstock)

The first warning symptom of Omicron you can hear before feeling ill

New Year’s Eve parties have been given the green light to go ahead in England (Photo: Getty Images)

New Year parties given green light in England as new restrictions ruled out

Mary Glindon, North Tyneside MP

MP COLUMN: Prime Minister let us down by breaching the rules we were respecting

Brits admit to wearing the same mask for up to 10 times before washing it