areas a week after hundreds of people were killed. you can see up there on the roof it's been completely torn off like a can of sardines. 90% of the buildings here have been damaged. and when video games become more than just a bit of fun — we go inside the uk's only treatment centre for people who've become addicted. and coming up on the bbc news channel, liverpool captain jordan henderson adds his voice to the concerns over player welfare as covid numbers rise along with christmas fixtures. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the uk has recorded more than 100,000 new cases of coronavirus in one day for the first time since the start of the pandemic. with so many people being forced to self—isolate, the health secretary sajid javid has announced that the quarantine period for people who are infected in england is being cut from ten days to seven days from today. you don't have to quarantine after that as long as you have two negative lateral flow tests on day six and day seven, and those tests must be taken a minimum of 2a hours apart. it's hoped the move will give more people the chance to spend time with their families over christmas. and it will also help to ease the pressure on the economy with staffing levels being hit hard in many sectors. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. the festive getaway has begun. there was an early christmas present for many who thought they would be isolating on the 25th after the rules and england cut the quarantine period from ten to seven days. lee is already anticipating heading home. his lateralflow is already anticipating heading home. his lateral flow on day six was negative this morning. if tomorrow's is clear, he is free. it has saved christmas for me. tomorrow's is clear, he is free. it has saved christmas for me. i thought i was coming here until midnight on boxing day in self isolation, so i can go back to the family home now and see my young daughter. family home now and see my young dau:hter. ., , family home now and see my young dau:hter. .,, ., ., daughter. people ending isolation earl are daughter. people ending isolation early are urged — daughter. people ending isolation early are urged to _ daughter. people ending isolation early are urged to be _ daughter. people ending isolation early are urged to be cautious - early are urged to be cautious and not visit crowded or poorly ventilated places, because even after a week, it's still possible to be carrying the virus and it not show up on lateral flow tests. mast show up on lateral flow tests. most ofthe show up on lateral flow tests. most of the transmissions _ show up on lateral flow tests. most of the transmissions occur - show up on lateral flow tests. most of the transmissions occur right at the beginning of the incubation period. — the beginning of the incubation period, even before people have symptoms. so shortening that isn't such a _ symptoms. so shortening that isn't such a bad — symptoms. so shortening that isn't such a bad idea. shortening it and adding _ such a bad idea. shortening it and adding the — such a bad idea. shortening it and adding the added security of doing a couple _ adding the added security of doing a couple of— adding the added security of doing a couple of tests that are actually quite _ couple of tests that are actually quite good at detecting whether someone is infectious or not, that's what _ someone is infectious or not, that's what the _ someone is infectious or not, that's what the lateral flow tests do, this seems _ what the lateral flow tests do, this seems reasonable to me.- what the lateral flow tests do, this seems reasonable to me. more than 51 million peeple — seems reasonable to me. more than 51 million people aged _ seems reasonable to me. more than 51 million people aged over— seems reasonable to me. more than 51 million people aged over 12 _ seems reasonable to me. more than 51 million people aged over 12 in - seems reasonable to me. more than 51 million people aged over 12 in the - million people aged over 12 in the uk have had at least one covid vaccine. nearly 31,000,003 doses. now all 16 and 17—year—olds will be eligible for a booster, and those in line for first jabs eligible for a booster, and those in line for firstjabs is to get even younger. in the united states and several european countries, or 5—11 —year—olds are being offered covid jabs. in texas, these therapy dogs provided a useful distraction. here, only 5—11s in at—risk groups will be eligible for now. they will get two macro shots eight weeks apart. each one third of the adult dose. we know these vaccines _ one third of the adult dose. we know these vaccines are _ one third of the adult dose. we know these vaccines are effective - one third of the adult dose. we know these vaccines are effective at - these vaccines are effective at preventing serious disease, that is the one thing they do reliably, so it makes sense that we offer those children who are at higher risks the benefits of protection now that the vaccine is available for the age group. vaccine is available for the age urou -. ., , ., vaccine is available for the age u-rou. ., group. new treatments are continuing to be rolled out, _ group. new treatments are continuing to be rolled out, such _ group. new treatments are continuing to be rolled out, such as _ to be rolled out, such as anti—viral pills such as molnup(iravir, which should stop the vulnerable from being ill. jenny has had a new antiviral drug as well.- being ill. jenny has had a new antiviral drug as well. people like me were genuinely _ antiviral drug as well. people like me were genuinely feeling - antiviral drug as well. people like me were genuinely feeling that l antiviral drug as well. people like - me were genuinely feeling that there would be not much hope for us. not much hope in avoiding hospitalisation, anyway, if we caught covid. but this now is a really positive change. i could see the excitement in the doctors and nurses at the hospital, so i think it is going to be a great thing for us immune people going forward. the key question is how bad will the 0micron wave get? london, which has the uk's highest infection rate, now has over 2000 covid patients in hospital. it has doubled in four weeks, but is still a of the level seenin weeks, but is still a of the level seen injanuary. fergus walsh, bbc news. let's look now at the latest coronavirus figures in detail. there were 106,122 new infections recorded in the latest 2a hour period. the average over the past week is now 91,888 new cases every day. the number of people in hospital with covid is 8,008. 140 deaths were recorded, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test. 112 covid—related deaths were recorded on average every day in the past week. 0n vaccinations, 873,247 people a day had boosters on average in the past seven days bringing the booster total to nearly 31 million — that's 53.6 % of the population, aged over 12. public health scotland said the positive case numbers are "lower than expected" and that it is investigating. we can speak to fergus walsh now. tonight he is broadcasting from home. 106,000 new cases. we expected that to happen, but it is still a milestone. it is a sobering milestone, sophie. cases have doubled in the space of two weeks. but given that the 0micron wave of infections are said to be doubling every 2—3 days, it is perhaps a crumb of comfort that they are not even higher. but there are hundreds of thousands of people currently self—isolating at home, like me, i tested positive last week, who now if they are in england face the prospect of being released from isolation after seven rather than ten days. the scottish government is also looking at whether to cut that period, but no decision in scotland yet. there is some optimism today after preliminary research has been published, a study in scotland? yes. published, a study in scotland? yes, ve earl published, a study in scotland? yes, very early date. _ published, a study in scotland? yes, very early date, but _ published, a study in scotland? 1913 very early date, but encouraging. it suggests, and it is tentative, that 0micron may reduce the risk of hospitalisation with 0micron by two thirds compared to delta. what scientists there have been doing is tracking the number of 0micron patients coming into hospital. they would have expected about 47 0micron patients in hospital now in scotland, there are currently 15. but it is very early date. it is positive, but of course if a lot of people get infected in the coming weeks all in one go, then there could still be very big pressure on the nhs in the new year.- the nhs in the new year. fergus walsh, self-isolating _ the nhs in the new year. fergus walsh, self-isolating at - the nhs in the new year. fergus walsh, self-isolating at home, l the nhs in the new year. fergus - walsh, self-isolating at home, thank walsh, self—isolating at home, thank you. wales and northern ireland have followed scotland in announcing new restrictions from boxing day. in wales the rule of six will be applied again in pubs, cinemas and restaurants. and events will be limited to 50 outdoors, or 30 indoors. and this is legally binding — it's not advice. in northern ireland nightclubs will close on the 26th of december. people will have to remain seated in hospitality venues with a limit of six people at each table. find hospitality venues with a limit of six people at each table. and people will be advised _ six people at each table. and people will be advised to _ six people at each table. and people will be advised to limit _ six people at each table. and people will be advised to limit meeting - will be advised to limit meeting inside private homes to three households. in a moment we'll be hearing from chris page in belfast, but first hywel griffith is in cardiff. normally people count down the days until christmas. in wales, businesses are now trying to work out how to get everything in place by boxing day, with the return of all the restrictions, systems and signs they thought they had seen the last of in the summer. meanwhile, families are left grappling with the advice rather than legal requirement to limit how much they mix with other families to limit how much they mix with otherfamilies in their to limit how much they mix with other families in their own to limit how much they mix with otherfamilies in their own homes. be bold, or tread carefully. once again the welsh government has chosen the most careful path through the pandemic. raising the alert level as a precaution before really knowing where 0micron will lead us. from boxing day, there are limits on how many people can meet to eat, drink, or go to the cinema. families are advised, but not bound by law, to limit how much they mix in each other�*s homes. for the parsons family, it all feels last—minute, giving people dilemmas over who to choose. it's difficult because we've got a lot of friends that have got larger families and they have literally had to change their plans last—minute. i know that our friends at the local pub, they like to gather, you know. so everyone is in the whatsapp group saying, you know, this is really going to affect everyone. if they were going to do something they should have given people more notice than just a couple of days before christmas. i don't really think that people are going to listen to the recommendations. last christmas gave us all similar heartbreaking decisions to make. who would be in your bubble, who would be left out in the cold? this year, well, there is no last—minute lockdown but there is the same uneasy sense that the rules are changing day by day. today's announcement is the third in wales in less than a week. and even more measures could follow. if we need to do more, the welsh government will not stand back. we never have. these are difficult decisions. they are not always popular decisions. but if the evidence says to us that more has to be done to prevent unnecessary deaths and avoidable harm, then that is what we will do. it's a warning which stirs strong feelings in the hospitality industry. nick runs five pubs. going back to the rule of six with table service and mandatory masks leaves him with one question. we just don't understand why. there is no evidence _ about transmission of the virus within hospitality. in fact we are amongst the safest sectors you can find. _ which direction wales takes next feels very uncertain. but now the focus is just on getting to the new year. after a long afternoon of talks, the devolved government here at stormont has announced new restrictions just in the last half hour or so. as in wales, the main measures tend to affect the hospitality industry, so on boxing day night clubs were closed, the day afterwards it will be back to the rule of six in pubs and restaurants which will have to go table service only. standing at indoor events like concerts will be banned. there has been no decision on cutting capacity at sporting events, though, that will be reviewed at the next meeting on the 30th of december. there will also be guidance that no more than three households should socialise together. ministers say their decisions have been difficult, but their actions are proportionate. this christmas in belfast, many much missed winter traditions have returned. but the pandemic is still here for another season. the devolved government has decided 0micron requires a response. the executive therefore has today spent considerable time agreeing a proportionate package of measures based on the best evidence that we have available to us at this time. this intervention is informed by the medical and scientific advice and it takes account of the wider economic and societal impacts. the hospitality industry says it doesn't have much to celebrate during the festivities that haven't really happened. this business owner is closing one of his restaurants this week because of cancelled bookings and the spread of the virus. he says the sector deserves more help. this one small restaurant in the middle of belfast would collect and hand over over £350,000 per year to the government. and we do that every year. we have done it for the last 17 years. that is a lot of money. to date we have received £20,000 of help from the government. i don't think that is a fair deal. people were onlyjust getting used to going out to clubs and gigs again. but there is new uncertainty about that, too. event promoters are worried the live scene here might not recover. i think you are looking at a pretty long—term effect of these restrictions and closures on business. and it's a huge concern. belfast is in a relatively vulnerable position for touring acts anyway because it is a relatively small market. unpredictability has become routine. but northern ireland isn't returning to the standstill of lockdown. whether more severe restrictions will be brought in here will depend on how much illness 0micron causes and how many people get their booster jabs. chris page, bbc news, belfast. so new restrictions coming in after christmas in scotland, wales and northern ireland. but what about england? 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is in westminster. any word yet? the government is holding firm tonight and i'm told there is no change in downing street and there justis change in downing street and there just is not the evidence to justify new measures in england certainly this christmas but also that we should not expect an announcement on changes to come in after christmas before the 25th of december. some certainty about the next few days at least. but there is a clear contrast now between the westminster government and other administrations around the uk. new restrictions for the post—christmas period announced in scotland, wales and northern ireland which may increase the pressure on the government here. the labour first minister of wales mark drakeford said the uk government was in a state of paralysis. if and when it does act than parliament will have to be recalled and boris johnson will be hoping he does not have to try again to convince many deeply sceptical backbenchers that new restrictions are necessary but officials and ministers are watching the data very closely and if any significant new information which are coming then things could change and change quickly. and you can find out more about the restrictions where you live over on the bbc website — bbc.co.uk/news. train operators are concerned about the impact staff sickness could have on services across the uk. the change to the self isolation period in england has been welcomed. it's hoped the move should help cut the high number of train cancellations during the busy christmas period. fiona trott is in newcastle for us this evening. it is pretty quiet inside the train station here this evening. already this week, just over 5% of trains have been cancelled across the uk. lner, which runs services on the east coast main line including newcastle has cancelled 16 services a day. that's not surprising. the rail delivery group which represents the rail delivery group which represents the uk train companies says nearly 9% of staff are off sick, due to covid. to put that into context, one train driver can do ten services per day, so it has a real knock on affect. it's not just staff. passenger numbers are also down. some services have been cancelled because of that. the numbers are thought to be at about half of pre—pandemic levels. so, that's why the rdg says today's announcement of reduced isolation will help the industry. one thing it can't help though is planned strike action. cross country says where you can, alter your plans and avoid travel on christmas eve or new year's eve. and of course for all services across uk — the advice is check before you travel. our top story this evening. uk has recorded than 100,000 tampon cases are one day come at the highest figure since the start of the pandemic. coming up... a warning about the future of comedy — is the risk of causing offence jeopardising careers? coming up on the bbc news channel. england bowler mark wood says it is still possible to turn things around and head of the third test in melbourne. england are 2—0 down and must win if they are to have any hope of regaining the ashes. it's nearly a week since the philippines were hit by a typhoon — the strongest they've had this year. at least 375 people were killed and hundreds of thousands have been left without shelter. the red cross says there is "carnage" in many areas, with no power, no communications and very little water. one of the worst affected areas was the popular tourist island of siargao. from there, our correspondent howard johnson sent this report. devastation as far as the eye can see. super typhoon rai first made landfall here last thursday, packing winds in excess of 150 miles an hour and dumping huge quantities of rainfall. this footage captured the moment a sports hall doubling as an evacuation centre was torn to shreds. it evacuation centre was torn to shreds. . , evacuation centre was torn to shreds. ., , ., . ., ., shreds. it was no protection, no roof on the _ shreds. it was no protection, no roof on the walls. _ shreds. it was no protection, no roof on the walls. the _ shreds. it was no protection, no roof on the walls. the entire - shreds. it was no protection, no l roof on the walls. the entire force of nature was bashing on us with full force. ,., ., ., full force. the governor of the island estimates _ full force. the governor of the island estimates that - full force. the governor of the island estimates that 9096 - full force. the governor of the island estimates that 9096 of i island estimates that 90% of buildings have been damaged. this man shows me to wear his home and convenience store once stood. i’m convenience store once stood. i'm scared convenience store once stood. i“n scared because my children have no more food in my house is broken from the typhoon. i don't know how i'm going to start again. we the typhoon. i don't know how i'm going to start again.— the typhoon. i don't know how i'm going to start again. we have seen this scene many _ going to start again. we have seen this scene many times _ going to start again. we have seen this scene many times with - going to start again. we have seen this scene many times with the - going to start again. we have seen | this scene many times with the roof being pulled off and glass smashed. you can see the roof in tatters. many people are without shelter at the moment and people here are calling for more support. they need more aid, more food and water and at the moment the supplies are coming through but not quickly enough. prices for filtered bottled water have doubled in the last week forcing the poor to find other sources. this family are drawing water from an old well, but it isn't clean. diarrhoea cases are on the rise here. it is bad for the stomach but we have no choice, we need to drink. we do not have safe water to drink. at the badly damaged airport aid is getting through but in limited quantities. outside the airport, residents have been waiting for up to three days for a flight off the island. it is leading to a sense of panic. there is no system, we have to figure it out ourselves. the real pandemic is not having a system. as night falls, a newly arrived philippine red cross team helped islanders to speak with loved ones using their satellite phone. help is on hand here, but there needs to be a lot, lot more. howard johnson, bbc news, siargao island. a 44—year—old man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for stalking the former bbc breakfast presenter, louise minchin, and one of her daughters. mold crown court heard that carl davies, from flint, had sent the women "graphic and disturbing" messages — causing them "deep distress". the uk economy grew at a slower pace than first estimated between july and september, according to revised figures for gdp. the office for national statistics said during the quarter before 0micron took hold, the economy grew by 1.1%, rather than 1.3%. it blamed weaker consumer spending, and the impact of energy companies going out of business. if you have teenagers, you'll knowjust how hard it can be to prise them away from their screens. and this christmas millions of people will be playing video games up and down the country. for many it is just fun, an enjoyable way of spending time online with friends. but for some it can become an addiction — one that puts a terrible strain on families. our technology correspondent marc cieslak has been allowed into the uk's only treatment facility for people who are addicted to video games. having people around, you do feel a degree of embarrassment sometimes for the duration of the visit. he'll be just upstairs gaming all the time and he'll be shouting and cursing. stephen and louise are describing life with their 16—year—old son, who suffers from gaming disorder. until quite recently in the uk they would have to have sought help privately but now there is a special nhs clinic to help sufferers. based in west london it is part of the national centre for behavioural addictions. many families see it as addictions. many families see it as a lifeline. . , ., addictions. many families see it as a lifeline. . , . , addictions. many families see it as a lifeline. . , ., , ., a lifeline. parents are very worried and sometimes _ a lifeline. parents are very worried and sometimes it _ a lifeline. parents are very worried and sometimes it can _ a lifeline. parents are very worried and sometimes it can cause - and sometimes it can cause arguments. for parents trying to get people to stop aiming they may do things like turning off wi—fi and that can cause massive arguments and threatening behaviour. quite extreme in some cases. this threatening behaviour. quite extreme in some cam-— in some cases. this is the first time tv cameras _ in some cases. this is the first time tv cameras had - in some cases. this is the first time tv cameras had been - in some cases. this is the first - time tv cameras had been allowed into the facility. we've had well over 300 referrals since then, 200 just in 2021. people can struggle with anger, anxiety or low mood. also physical symptoms in terms of loss of sleep because they will be gaming at night to connect with gamers abroad. this is the only nhs _ to connect with gamers abroad. this is the only nhs clinic in the uk treating gaming disorder. the patients are spread out across england and wales and often treated to a video chats. there this weird rate that the condition is rare. a recent 0xford rate that the condition is rare. a recent oxford university report concluded that gaming can have benefits for health and well—being especially in helping money to get through the pandemic. but for stephen and louise who are just at the start of the treatment programme, the clinic has helped them to cope better. what was most helpful for us is talking to other parents. they made a special support group for parents who have the same gaming needs, oraddiction, whatever you want to call it. we meet once a fortnight on zoom to discuss how we're doing. the greatest thing about that, in terms of benefit, is to realise that you're not alone. there's loads of other people up and down the country and all across the world that are going through the exact same situation. what do you think the future looks like for your son, and what do you think the future looks like for you as a family? i feel optimistic because on facebook, ifollow a lot of people who are very like our son, but they're adults now, and i follow them because they're hugely insightful, but also really helps me feel he will find his way. marc cieslak, bbc news. comedy is — obviously — about making people laugh — but what if the audience finds the joke offensive rather than funny? the actor and comedian dame maureen lipman says comedy is on the verge of being wiped out because comedians are so worried about offending people and the impact that could have on their careers that they are just avoiding controversial subjects. it's all about the so—called cancel culture as our culture editor katie razzall reports. i'm depressed and suicidal. guess where i'm working? it's stand—up comedy night in manchester. new act faizan is telling jokes that some could find offensive. i was working at manchester airport in aviation security... laughter. a depressed, suicidal muslim at the airport... but who decides what's funny, and what will offend? and is this tension a reflection of what's happening in wider society, too? comedians are very paranoid that they might word something the wrong way and then that's out there forever. and then they are cancelled and will never gig again. is this your idea of a joke, then? maureen lipman, starring in coronation street right now, has a dramatic prediction. i think it's a revolution. something has to be forbidden to make you really laugh. to make you really belly laugh. it's when you shouldn't be laughing. this cancel culture, this punishment, it's everywhere. punishment, you know, an eye for an eye. you said that, therefore you must never work again. we are, literally, we are on the cusp of wiping out comedy. so, i'm not trying to offend anyone, but... comedian russell kane says comedy is in fact in rude health. i was good at dungeons and dragons, so... i don't think anyone is saying we can't be offended. no one is saying that. there has been a massive, much—needed shift in the conversation around gender, around men's attitudes to women, around consent, blah blah blah. the sort of ironic, lad humour of "yeah, she's up for it," which at the time i'm pretty sure was delivered with irony by 99.9% of the people, but now, irony or not, not appropriate. a poll suggests in normal life people are stopping themselves from saying what they really think on certain subjects forfear of being judged. 57% of those asked said they self—censor on topics including immigration and transgender rights, particularly if their opinions are seen as less politically correct. perhaps it is obvious that they don't speak openly with people they have just met. nearly half say they don't. but 40% keep views quiet at work and nearly a third don't tell friends their real views on these subjects either. i'm not worried about being judged. i would just far rather not say something because i don't think it's right. because at the end of the day, making offensive remarks is bullying. 0k, could you tell me the last time you were weighed, what was your weight? eight pounds four ounces... what's happening on the comedy stage and in real life is a sign outdated views are being weeded out. or a worrying assault on free speech, depending on your perspective. culture often leads the way on the big issues of our time as we all navigate what we can say, and what it's best not to. katie razzell, bbc news, manchester. time for a look at the weather.. here's chris fawkes. and we have some snow? perhaps. it has been very cold in scotland and temperatures right now below freezing. this could lead to some problems in the next few hours because now we have rain moving into the cold air. that is freezing rain which is very dangerous. it can wash salt off the roads and it freezes on impacts. as we go through the night these bands of rain will move in and eventually temperatures lift through the night. no risk of freezing rain away from scotland, really. and temperatures around 11 or 12 degrees across parts of the west turning increasingly mild overnight. some bands of rain moving in across northern ireland and scotland, quite heavy for a time. turning milder behind that feature but the cooler conditions are still hanging on across parts of scotland and that is the tale of what is to come for the christmas period. 0n the tale of what is to come for the christmas period. on christmas eve in the colder air coming back in across scotland with some wintry showers. and a band of rain moving into northern ireland, wales and south—west england. for many of us it is miles again at ten, 11 degrees quite widely but still hanging on to colder air across the north of scotland at around four or 5 c. and for christmas day that colder air is still there and the risk of seeing some snow flurries across northern