at sutton in south london, in which four young boys died, has been bailed. the 27—year—old, who was arrested on suspicion of child neglect, will return to a south london police station in mid—january. aston villa's match against burnley is the latest premier league game to be postponed due to coronavirus. that leaves just one match due to take place in the premier league today — with leeds united facing arsenal. and, after a] 0dudu bows out of tonight's strictly final, will it be rose and giovanni orjohn and johannes who win the glitterball trophy? good afternoon. there's a warning that tougher covid restrictions may need to be brought in "very soon" in england to avoid hospital admissions potentially peaking at around 3000 a day, as cases of the 0micron variant surge. the comments appear in leaked minutes from a meeting of the government's scientific advisory group for emergencies. leading infectious diseases expert professor neil ferguson says the situation looks precarious. here's our health correspondent, katharine da costa. there's no time to lose — jabs are now available 2a hours a day at this vaccine centre in north london, as nhs staff and volunteers across the country strive to reach1 million jabs a day. currently around 800 covid patients are being admitted each day in england, but leaked minutes from government scientific advisers suggest that without further measures, we could see a surge of 1000 to 2000 admissions a day by the end of the year, and a possible peak of around 3000 a day. similar to levels in early january. to avoid significant pressure, sage advisers say... that is the major concern. and we will be able to be more certain about that scenario and exactly what we are heading into in the next few days, i think, with the increasing amount of data coming in. but it is a real concern we will be heading into something which has the risk of overrunning the health service. testing for the virus is also crucial. the vaccines minister was at a royal mail depot in derbyshire this morning. deliveries of pcr and lateral flow kits are being ramped up to 900,000 a day to make sure everyone who needs a test can get one. lateral flow devices are very effective at picking up the 0micron variant, as well as other variants, and it's the best way to make sure that they are free of the virus before they do visit friends and family this christmas or go to large events. the government at westminster has said current plan b measures in england are appropriate, but would go further if new data suggests that's needed. wales and scotland have already tightened some restrictions. representatives from all uk nations are expected to gather for an emergency cobra meeting this weekend. katharine da costa, bbc news. let's get use some latest figures. these are the daily covid stats that have come through. i can tell you there are 90,418 new covid cases reported, that is compared to 93,045 yesterday. it is the second highest number of daily cases. of course it being the weekend that there is a lag. those are the latest figures we have got. we can also look at the stats for the number of boosters are administered. the latest figure is 817,625, representing 47.2% of over 12 is. those are figures that have just come in at now. let's get more on this now. let's talk to paul hunter, professor in medicine at the university of east anglia. as we just as wejust mentioned, as we just mentioned, there as wejust mentioned, there is as we just mentioned, there is a slight like a know we can figures. —— slight lag. however, still really high figures. -- slight lag. however, still really high figures-_ high figures. absolutely. we normally see _ high figures. absolutely. we normally see case _ high figures. absolutely. we normally see case numbersl high figures. absolutely. we i normally see case numbers fall high figures. absolutely. we - normally see case numbers fall on a saturday compared to the previous day. but comparing it with saturday last week it is still a substantial increase, probably well over 50% up on last saturday. in increase, probably well over 5096 up on last saturday.— on last saturday. in terms of where we are with — on last saturday. in terms of where we are with the _ on last saturday. in terms of where we are with the rise _ on last saturday. in terms of where we are with the rise in _ on last saturday. in terms of where we are with the rise in cases - on last saturday. in terms of where we are with the rise in cases and i we are with the rise in cases and the spread of 0micron, what are your concerns in the coming weeks as to how far that spread will go? i concerns in the coming weeks as to how far that spread will go?- how far that spread will go? i think it's still very _ how far that spread will go? i think it's still very difficult _ how far that spread will go? i think it's still very difficult at _ how far that spread will go? i think it's still very difficult at the - it's still very difficult at the moment to really know what is going to happen. currently, most of the increase has been in young adults, particularly people in their 20s, but increases on either side of that. the issue is what will happen when the infection spreads into older age groups and how rapidly it will spread. at the moment, the 0micron variant is doubling probably every two days, maybe even a bit more rapidly than that. that sort of rate of doubling can't go on forever. by new year's eve, everyone in the uk will have had an infection, so it has got to slow down soon. the issue is really whether it will move into people who are more vulnerable who are more likely to end up in hospital. that is still far from clear at the moment. is still far from clear at the moment-— is still far from clear at the moment. ~ ., ., ,, ~ is still far from clear at the moment. ~ ., ., ~ , moment. what do you think can be done to prevent _ moment. what do you think can be done to prevent that, _ moment. what do you think can be done to prevent that, or _ moment. what do you think can be done to prevent that, or at - moment. what do you think can be done to prevent that, or at least i done to prevent that, or at least limit that from happening? i think ou are limit that from happening? i think you are quite _ limit that from happening? i think you are quite right _ limit that from happening? i think you are quite right to _ limit that from happening? i think you are quite right to put - limit that from happening? i think you are quite right to put the i you are quite right to put the caveat on limit that because i don't think we are actually at the stage where we can prevent additional substantial rises. i think the move toward some sort of further restrictions on movement and mixing will probably come about, because at the problem really is how high this peak will go. if it goes very high, then the health service will substantially come under pressure. if it carries on the going on at the rate it is, many people in other industries, shops, food outlets, in delivery, all that sort of thing, many of them will actually be having to sell fly slip because they have been positive. so trying to get the balance between bat and not extending the epidemic longer is going to be quite difficult. i suspect we are going to have to increase of our restrictions in the coming days. ii increase of our restrictions in the coming deve— increase of our restrictions in the coming days. if we talk now about the booster— coming days. if we talk now about the booster roll _ coming days. if we talk now about the booster roll out. _ coming days. if we talk now about the booster roll out. a _ coming days. if we talk now about the booster roll out. a lot - coming days. if we talk now about the booster roll out. a lot of- the booster roll out. a lot of people i've spoken to at that's in clinics where they were getting at their boosterjabs, they told me their boosterjabs, they told me their reasons for getting it was to try to keep themselves and their loved ones safe when they meet at christmas. it is important to stress that the protection you get from this isn't immediate, is it? name. t icall , this isn't immediate, is it? name. typically. you _ this isn't immediate, is it? name. typically. you see _ this isn't immediate, is it? name. typically, you see the _ this isn't immediate, is it? name. typically, you see the full - this isn't immediate, is it? name. typically, you see the full effect i typically, you see the full effect about two weeks after at the bus there. which means a given at the incubation period, you can really expect protection to you kicking in about seven days after you have had the booster, but you can still get ill over the coming days and pass the infection on, so we say two weeks but probably a little bit less than that. it is important even after you have had the booster that you do think about what you're doing, at least for the next 10—14 days. doing, at least for the next 10-14 da s. ., ., , ., ~ days. you mentioned you think new restrictions — days. you mentioned you think new restrictions may _ days. you mentioned you think new restrictions may be _ days. you mentioned you think new restrictions may be required - days. you mentioned you think new restrictions may be required in i days. you mentioned you think new restrictions may be required in the l restrictions may be required in the coming days. what do you make of the leaked minutes from the sage meeting that talked about the fact that restrictions may need to be brought in in in england very soon? i restrictions may need to be brought in in in england very soon?- in in in england very soon? i think that is a reasonably _ in in in england very soon? i think that is a reasonably sound - in in in england very soon? i think. that is a reasonably sound judgment. i think professor chris whitty said this the other day, one of the things about epidemics is that there is evidence to go up quite quickly often go down quite quickly at the other sides of the peak. so having a balance of not having a peak that threatens the integrity of the health service and throws a lot of other essential services into disarray, at least same time as trying to ensure we get over this fairly quickly is not going to be easy. fairly quickly is not going to be eas . ., ~' fairly quickly is not going to be eas . . ~ , ., fairly quickly is not going to be eas. . ~ i. ., fairly quickly is not going to be eas. . ., , ., fairly quickly is not going to be eas. . ., easy. thank you for sharing your thou~hts easy. thank you for sharing your thoughts with — easy. thank you for sharing your thoughts with others. _ rising concern about the rapid spread of the 0micron variant in london has prompted mayor sadiq khan to declare a major incident in the capital. he said, "the 0micron variant has quickly become dominant, with cases increasing rapidly and the number of patients in our hospitals on the rise again." in the past seven days, the number of covid patients in london hospitals has gone up by 29%. a major incident is described as an event or situtaion with a range of serious consequences and is "beyond the scope of business—as—usual operations." it's an event which requires special arrangements to be implemented by one or more emergency responders. let's hear a little more of what mayor sadiq khan had to say. we are incredibly concerned by the huge surge in the 0micron variant. over the last 24 hours we have had the largest number of new cases since this pandemic began, more than 26,000, hospital admissions are going up, but also staff absences are going up by massive levels. so i've taken the decision, in consultation with our partners, to declare a major incident today. it's a statement of how serious things are, but also it means that rather than different public authorities working separately, we will be working together through both the london resilience forum, but also throughout the strategic coordination group. it's really important londoners understand how serious things are. let's talk to our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. so what does this mean and what will it look like for people living in the city? i it look like for people living in the ci ? ~ �* , ., it look like for people living in the ci ? ~ �*, ., ., the city? i think it's a real warning — the city? i think it's a real warning signal— the city? i think it's a real warning signal coming i the city? i think it's a real. warning signal coming from the city? i think it's a real- warning signal coming from the the city? i think it's a real— warning signal coming from the mayor of london. he said he has been looking over the last few days at the figures and this is a growing number of covid cases, a record number of covid cases, a record number of covid cases, a record number of covid cases in london in the past 24 hours, that's all covid cases, notjust 0micron, but being driven by that because that is now the dominant strain. the key concern he really has is the pressure on hospitals and emergency services. at the minute i think the admissions are running at around 200 a day. he did the same thing at the beginning of the year, injanuary, declared a similar major incident. then admissions were running at about 800. i think the concern here is about what is coming and also at the staffing levels, the number of people who are falling ill or testing positive anything is likely emergency services, and billing service, file servers, the police. and i think he is really worried about their ability to cope. by declaring this major incident it means that those agencies can start to work together, he can start to call for more help for two from central government. i think it is just adding to the sense that people can see the pressure is coming on at the system and getting everything in place and sending warnings up to the public about this. saffron cordery is the deputy chief executive of nhs providers. thank you forjoining us. if you can just clarify what is the driving force behind the major incident. we werejust force behind the major incident. we were just hearing from our political correspondent about the hospital admissions. so what is it that makes for the tipping point that sends us into a situation where we have a major incident declared? i into a situation where we have a major incident declared?- into a situation where we have a major incident declared? i think we have not major incident declared? i think we have got two _ major incident declared? i think we have got two things _ major incident declared? i think we have got two things coming - major incident declared? i think we l have got two things coming together here _ have got two things coming together here it _ have got two things coming together here it is _ have got two things coming together here. it is the number of covid cases— here. it is the number of covid cases and _ here. it is the number of covid cases and that rapid spread and increase — cases and that rapid spread and increase in— cases and that rapid spread and increase in people being admitted to hospitat _ increase in people being admitted to hospital. the second thing is the number— hospital. the second thing is the number from hospital. the second thing is the numberfrom an nhs hospital. the second thing is the number from an nhs perspective of staff who _ number from an nhs perspective of staff who are off because of covid, either _ staff who are off because of covid, either because they have it themselves or they are self—isolating because they have tested _ self—isolating because they have tested positive. so two factors coming — tested positive. so two factors coming together there. we know it is notjust— coming together there. we know it is notjust affecting coming together there. we know it is not just affecting hospital staff. and billing services, fire services, police, _ and billing services, fire services, police, eto — and billing services, fire services, police, etc. as we heard from a previous — police, etc. as we heard from a previous piece, retail too. police, etc. as we heard from a previous piece, retailtoo. so police, etc. as we heard from a previous piece, retail too. so we have _ previous piece, retail too. so we have a _ previous piece, retail too. so we have a whole swathe of public services — have a whole swathe of public services coming under pressure because — services coming under pressure because of staff absences. in the nhs that— because of staff absences. in the nhs that they are also having to treat— nhs that they are also having to treat additional covid patients. what _ treat additional covid patients. what is — treat additional covid patients. what is this going to look like in a few weeks' time? it almost seems like the perfect storm for what the government has called a tidal wave of 0micron. what impact are we likely to see in the coming weeks or months? irate likely to see in the coming weeks or months? ~ ., ~ ., . , months? we do know that this articular months? we do know that this particular version _ months? we do know that this particular version of _ months? we do know that this particular version of the i months? we do know that this particular version of the covidl particular version of the covid virus — particular version of the covid virus is — particular version of the covid virus is incredibly transmissible. the doubt — virus is incredibly transmissible. the doubt our virus had an average of around _ the doubt our virus had an average of around 1—2. we think omicron has an r _ of around 1—2. we think omicron has an r rate _ of around 1—2. we think omicron has an r rate between a 3—5, so it is significantly— an r rate between a 3—5, so it is significantly more transmissible. what _ significantly more transmissible. what we — significantly more transmissible. what we don't know yet is what is actually _ what we don't know yet is what is actually going to happen in terms all hospital cases going forward, and potentially deaths. we are looking — and potentially deaths. we are looking at the south african data because — looking at the south african data because they are a little ahead of others, _ because they are a little ahead of others, that is where this particular variant stems from. we know— particular variant stems from. we know at— particular variant stems from. we know at the — particular variant stems from. we know at the moment it is spreading amongst _ know at the moment it is spreading amongst young people, which is population density, why we are seeing — population density, why we are seeing it— population density, why we are seeing it spread fast in the capital~ _ seeing it spread fast in the capital. when it has all the people we will— capital. when it has all the people we will get a better sense of whether— we will get a better sense of whether those hospital cases are really _ whether those hospital cases are really going to shoot up. it is an uncertain— really going to shoot up. it is an uncertain future at the moment and i think it _ uncertain future at the moment and i think it is _ uncertain future at the moment and i think it is absolutely right that we treat this — think it is absolutely right that we treat this cautiously. in a sense, we have — treat this cautiously. in a sense, we have been here before and we know how critical _ we have been here before and we know how critical it _ we have been here before and we know how critical it is to stop the spread _ how critical it is to stop the spread. which is why the work that has been _ spread. which is why the work that has been done over the past week, ten days, _ has been done over the past week, ten days, on— has been done over the past week, ten days, on the booster campaign is absolutely— ten days, on the booster campaign is absolutely astonishing and it was great _ absolutely astonishing and it was great to— absolutely astonishing and it was great to hear 817,000 booster were administered yesterday, that is a huge _ administered yesterday, that is a huge numberand a administered yesterday, that is a huge number and a single day. the hooster— huge number and a single day. the booster campaign is critical. but liven the booster campaign is critical. emit given the rates at which omicron and covid cases are rising, even with the booster roll out, is there any way that the tide of growth of these cases can be stemmed without further restrictions? i cases can be stemmed without further restrictions? ~ . , restrictions? i think that is incredibly _ restrictions? i think that is incredibly difficult - restrictions? i think that is incredibly difficult to i restrictions? i think that is| incredibly difficult to know. restrictions? i think that is l incredibly difficult to know. i think— incredibly difficult to know. i think the _ incredibly difficult to know. i think the bit we aren't yet clear about— think the bit we aren't yet clear about is— think the bit we aren't yet clear about is how this is going to translate _ about is how this is going to translate into hospital cases across the population as a whole. so we 'ust the population as a whole. so we just don't— the population as a whole. so we just don't know what this pattern of spread _ just don't know what this pattern of spread and — just don't know what this pattern of spread and hospital cases is going to be _ spread and hospital cases is going to be i_ spread and hospital cases is going to be. i think the thing we have to remember— to be. i think the thing we have to remember is that at the end of the day, it's_ remember is that at the end of the day, it's absolutely government who holds _ day, it's absolutely government who holds all _ day, it's absolutely government who holds all of — day, it's absolutely government who holds all of the information and the evidence _ holds all of the information and the evidence and the scientific data around — evidence and the scientific data around where it needs to go next. so the health— around where it needs to go next. so the health service can give its perspective in terms of what it is seeing _ perspective in terms of what it is seeing and — perspective in terms of what it is seeing and how it is feeling those pressures— seeing and how it is feeling those pressures on the front line. simitarly— pressures on the front line. similarly in local government and other— similarly in local government and other areas. similarly in local government and otherareas. but similarly in local government and other areas. but the government has to make _ other areas. but the government has to make that decision.— to make that decision. thank you for aaivin us to make that decision. thank you for giving us the — to make that decision. thank you for giving us the nhs — to make that decision. thank you for giving us the nhs perspective. i the uk health security agency has released the latest data on the omicron variant. 10,059 additional cases have been confirmed across the uk in the past 24 hours. it brings the total number of omicron cases in the uk to 24,968. 85 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected cases of omicron and seven people have died after contracting the variant. sport — and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's ben. good afternoon. disappointing — that's how england batsman dawid malan described their performance after yet another batting collapse left england facing defeat in the second ashes test match. australia lead by 282 runs heading into day four with nine second innings wickets remaining and are heavy favourites to go 2—0 up in the five—match series. patrick gearey reports. don't look down. the view ahead of day three was that england were on a precipice. the match, perhaps the series, on the edge. joe root came out dancing. these are conditions ideal for batting. root and dawid malan seemed capable of doing lots of it. no wickets in the first session. the englishmen in adelaide out of hiding. butjust as those at home woke up and checked their phones... edged and gone. ..joe root left the conversation. that touch moved the match. australia had dismissed officially the best batter in the world. the rest wouldn't be a problem. that was gone. and this was ollie pope, prodding at nathan lane on five. whenjos buttler met his own starc end, england had lost four wickets for 19 runs, and we were watching another repeat. bowled him! when it ended, england were still 237 runs behind. australia's attack was supposed to be weakened. the aussies didn't have to bat again but chose to, sensing it probably wasn't as difficult as it had just been made to look. they finished 45—1, a long way ahead. those who followed england sang on regardless, but this might have been the day the music stopped. patrick gearey, bbc news. aston villa has apologised to both sets of fans after their game against burnley was called off less than three hours before kick—off today. more positive covid tests were returned this morning, leading to the late cancellation. it means five of the six games scheduled today have been postponed due to covid outbreaks — just leeds against arsenal survives, and arsenal boss mikel arteta understands why other clubs are concerned at potential fixture pile—ups. we always want to play when we have the right conditions to do so, 100%. we have been here on the other side of the table, when we had all the elements to play a football match and we ended up playing it. that's what i'm saying, we need clarity. the results of the competition can be altered and that wouldn't be fair. all four games go ahead in scotland. dundee united have an outbreak in their squad — with four teenagers starting against leaders rangers. it's currently goalless. elsewhere, it's dundee 0, hearts 0, livingston—ross county is 0—1, whilst bottom side stjohnstone currently trail 2—0 at motherwell. half the games in the championship are off today. bournemouth are now six without a win, though, and missed the chance to go top after they lost 1—0 at middlesborough. isiahjones was brought down byjaiden anthony early into the second half, and andraz sporar slotted home the penalty to lift boro up to eighth. bournemouth have now gone six games without a win. all european rugby games involving british and french sides are off this weekend due to french travel restrictions. that's left three matches today. cardiff were without 42 players due to covid quarantine and injuries and injuries against harlequins. it was 17—17 at half time but quins ran away with it in the second half withjoe marchant going clinching the bonus point in their second straight win in the champions cup. nine dart finishes are like the proverbial red buses at london's alexandra palace it seems. you wait six years for one — then two come along in two days. last night, scotland's william borland won his first round match at the pdc world championship with a nine—darter. today we had another, as lithunia's darius labunauskas completed the rare feat in his match against belgium's mike de dekker. it was all in vain, though — he ended up losing. that's all the sport for now. the bbc sport website and app will keep you right up to date and we'll have a comprehensive round up in sportsday at 6.30. a woman who was arrested after a fire which killed four young children in south london has been bailed. although formal identification is yet to take place, police say they are confident the children were twins leyton and logan hoath, aged three, and kyson and bryson hoath, aged four. officers say the woman will return to a south london police station in mid—january. there's mixed news on the health of high streets across the uk on the last saturday before christmas — usually one of the busiest shopping days of the year. figures from the retail analysts springboard show footfall is up 3.4% today across all destinations. but plan b guidance and concern about coronavirus meant footfall was down 13.2% in central london last week, with other large falls in other cities. but footfall on smaller high streets rose in the past seven days — up 8.4% in market towns. our business correspondent, caroline davies, is here. on the face of it, it looks like great news for smaller places? brute great news for smaller places? we can start great news for smaller places? - can start trying to delve into some of those figures. high streets were slightly up, which you can kind of tell from plan b, during the course of last week more people have been working from home, perhaps easier to p0p up working from home, perhaps easier to pop up to the shops during your lunch break at home. of course you're not in the centre of town, like central london. we just got figures in today. the weekend before christmas is the last saturday to be able to go shopping before christmas day, normally a big period for the retailers, something they had pinned their hopes on. however, it is not necessarily good news. across the uk it is down 1.8% lower than the previous saturday. this is not even in comparison to pre—pandemic levels, this isjust last week compared to now. that is for high street shopping centres, all down. detail parts were up by 1%, so not really balancing out all these different areas. these two this will be a concern for retailers, that they be people, and spend money they had saved during the year and have a good christmas. retailers can still potentially try to sell goods online. it is very difficult for hospitality to be able to do that. they have said that they have seen multiple cancellations across the hospitality industry because people are trying to limit their social interactions because of the advice of professor chris whitty earlier in the week. a real impact starting to be felt across the industry. figs the week. a real impact starting to be felt across the industry.- be felt across the industry. as you sa , the be felt across the industry. as you say. the good _ be felt across the industry. as you say, the good news _ be felt across the industry. as you say, the good news doesn't i be felt across the industry. as you say, the good news doesn't quite | say, the good news doesn't quite cancel out the bad? ida. say, the good news doesn't quite cancel out the bad?— say, the good news doesn't quite cancel out the bad? no, overall, we are still down _ cancel out the bad? no, overall, we are still down in _ cancel out the bad? no, overall, we are still down in terms _ cancel out the bad? no, overall, we are still down in terms of— cancel out the bad? no, overall, we are still down in terms of footfall. are still down in terms of footfall in terms of visits to these retail centres, where that is a major high street, a retail park. in general across the board it is still down on previous weeks, so not necessarily good news that retailers were hoping for in the build—up to christmas. a man has appeared in court charged with murder and arson after a fire left a person dead in reading. hakeem kigundu is accused of starting the fire at around 3am on wednesday. the building was so badly damaged by the fire that it is unstable. kigundu was remanded in custody and will appear at reading crown court on tuesday. sir rod stewart and his son, sean, have admitted punching a security guard when they were barred from entering a party in palm beach in florida, two years ago. thejudge decided not to adjudicate, which means they won't be formally convicted and they won't face jail or a fine. the singer's lawyer said he'd struck a plea deal to avoid the inconvenience and cost of a high—profile trial. it's the strictly come dancing final tonight — but it's sad news for a] 0dudu and her partner, kai widdrington, who have pulled out of the show. the tv presenter has torn a ligament in her right ankle which means only two couples will compete for the glitterball. david sillito reports. last week, it was a full house of tens for a] and kai's quickstep. the tv presenter, aj 0dudu, was on her way to the final. i'm really happy. thank you so much for all of your votes. i am buzzing! just days later, she posted this picture of herself sitting with crutches and a bandaged foot — an injury picked up during the hours of training. she has now had to admit defeat. she could barely stand, let alone dance. her ligament had been torn. my ankle has given away and my ligament has ruptured. and it isjust not going to happen. we were gutted because we were ready to smash it. this isn't the way that we wanted to go out, obviously, but even just looking back at all of those moments, it's just been an absolute pleasure dancing with you every single week. so thank you. it was clear on week one that she was going to be a contender for the glitterball trophy. by week 12, she was just one point short of a perfect score for her two dances. it means the final tonight will be between the two remaining couples. aj 0dudu offered her best wishes, saying... david sillito, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris. we have had two types of weather across the uk today — the sunny skies or low cloud with mist and fog. this weather watcher picture has both of these come up with sunshine over the mountain tops but a layer of murk trapped higher down —— lower down. close to the centre of high pressure, but also parts of wales and south of england were at the low cloud has been low enough to give those breaks. overnight tonight were at the cloud stays well broken, were at the cloud stays well broken, we will see some frost, temperatures getting down to about —3 in the coldest areas. further south a lot of cloud still affecting northern ireland. tomorrow is going to be a similar kind of weather pictures, some will keep the low cloud, mist and fog patches for much of the day, others will see sparkling sunshine. the best chance of that, parts of scotland, south—west hello this is bbc news. the headlines... government scientific advisors warn tougher covid restrictions may be needed �*very soon' in england — to avoid a steep rise in hospital admissions as omicron cases surge london�*s mayor declares a �*major incident�* — meaning the capital�*s nhs bodies, councils and emergency services can work closer together to limit the impact of the spread of omicron it is really