The third consecutive high, in as many days. so a curfew is in force in catalonia in northeastern spain, where residents are banned from leaving their homes between one o clock and 6 in the morning. dr quique bassat is a research professor at the barcelona institute for global health and has with more on what the situation is like there. we are very concerned about the situation. we are witnessing an unprecedented increase in the number of cases, with 25,000 more cases today than we had two days ago, with more than 100 points in the incidence increased between two days ago and today. with increasing pressure to the health system, we are getting warnings from the emergency departments, the intensive care units, that we are seeing many more cases being admitted. even if this new variant is predominantly less severe, because we also have a predominately very well
The equivalent of 1.74 million. in london, the ratio is much higher one in 20 people were likely to have tested positive for covid. but despite soaring cases, early findings suggest that the 0micron variant is milder than delta, and leads to less hospitalisation the head of the uk health health security agency, drjenny harries, called it a glimmer of christmas hope . european countries also reported record numbers of cases on friday 94,000 in france, and more than 50,000 in italy, which hasjoined greece and spain, in introducing mandatory face coverings outdoors. elsewhere, thailand has reported its first 0micron cluster 21 infections
This is bbc news i m lukwesa burak with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. after the glimmer of hope more gloom with the highest daily recorded cases of covid since the pandemic began. millions of travellers around the world face disruption over christmas, as the surge in omicron cases means cancelled flights and staff shortages. a packed ferry catches fire in southern bangladesh at least 39 people are killed. the queen is expected to give a very personal christmas message this year her first since the death of her husband prince philip. a christmas midnight mass is celebrated at the church of the nativity in bethlehem built on the spot where it s believed jesus was born.
And he s checked his list, and now santa claus is coming to town! we ll have an update on his progress a little later. he is currently just he is currentlyjust leaving iceland. hello and thanks forjoining us. merry christmas from the uk. the united kingdom has again recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the pandemic began more than 120,000. it s the third day in a row that cases have topped 100,000 with 122,186 cases recorded on friday. a separate survey from the office for national statistics found that on december 19th, an estimated 1 in 35 people in the uk, had covid 19
This is bbc news. the headlines: the uk has again recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the pandemic began with more than 120,000 new infections. european countries reported record numbers of cases with italy, greece and spain introducing mandatory face coverings outdoors, but 0micron appears to result in less serious illness than delta. millions around the world face travel disruption over christmas as the surge in 0micron variant cases sees 2000 flights cancelled due to staff shortages. united airlines says it s contacting impacted passengers before they arrive at the airport. china and the us are the worst affected countries. christmas celebrations have taken place in bethlehem, including an annual procession led by the head of the roman catholic church in the region. the events culminated in a mass at the church of the nativity, built on the spot where it s believed thatjesus was born.