New Covid strain spreads FASTER than old mutation – and scientists are baffled by where it came from
16 Dec 2020, 10:09
Updated: 16 Dec 2020, 16:46
Invalid Date,
THE new Covid strain is spreading faster than the most dominant one in the UK, scientists say.
An earlier variant imported by holidaymakers from Spain in the summer soon became the most prolific in Britain.
2
A new strain of Covid is spreading faster than the dominant one imported from Spain (stock of virus)Credit: Alamy
But the newest variant, called VUI – 202012/01, has the potential to overtake the Spanish one, named 20A.EU1.
It was first identified in September, according to scientists at COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK), who have been working with Public Health England (PHE).
BORIS Johnson will urge families to isolate before joining their Christmas bubble for five days.
The Prime Minister is also set to warn against visiting elderly relatives as he fights to save Christmas.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
2
The PM is to urge Brits to self-isolate before meeting loved ones for Christmas celebrations, it s reportedCredit: AFP or licensors
2
It comes amid uncertainty over the rules for the festive seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
Medics and Scots and Welsh politicians want the five-day rules break axed or cut as cases rise.
Talks between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland over the issue were postponed tonight, and a decision is expected today.
Brits hang decorations in the loo and eat mustard for DESSERT to celebrate Christmas, study finds
Rob Knight
Updated: 16 Dec 2020, 10:15
BRITS have revealed the quirky ways they ll celebrate Christmas – hanging decorations in the bathroom, having mustard for dessert, and knitting jumpers for their pet tortoise.
Researchers who polled 2,000 adults found 85 per cent think this Yuletide will be the strangest one yet, and 35 per cent are keen to embrace that this year.
1
Brits are ready to celebrate Christmas. with some decisions less than traditionalCredit: Getty Images - Getty
As a result, some are planning to sidestep the traditional dinner completely in favour of something more unusual – with one respondent enjoying ostrich, venison and kangaroo in recent years.
BABY KILLER
Shocking moment mum carries dead baby into lobby of luxury hotel after Brit pilot father ‘crushed skull in drunken rage’
Will Stewart
Updated: 16 Dec 2020, 10:30
A BRITISH pilot faces 20 years in prison for allegedly beating his one-year-old child to death while staying at a five-star hotel in Russia.
Shocking CCTV footage captured the moment the child’s distraught mother carried her “motionless” baby into the hotel lobby, desperate for help.
6
6
The confronting video shows one-year-old Sophia Barakat being clutched by her mother, 23-year-old Madina.
Little Sophia - who was “always smiling” according to a witness who saw her before the tragedy - appeared “blue” and was ”not breathing .
CLASS ACTION
Chaos for parents as London boroughs reopen schools just two days before Xmas break after Gov threatened legal action
Updated: 16 Dec 2020, 0:54
Invalid Date,
PARENTS face chaos as all schools in two London boroughs were forced to U-turn and reopen days before the Christmas break.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson warned the government would take legal action if councils in Greenwich and Islington didn t reopen their schools to kids for the rest of the week.
5
Greenwich council had wanted to shut all its schools early for Christmas due to rising Covid cases (stock photo)Credit: PA:Press Association
5
Gavin Williamson threatened to take legal action if Greenwich council did not comply with the government s wishesCredit: AFP or licensors