correspondingjim corresponding jim reed correspondingjim reed is here. what are we expecting from the prime minister? what should we read into it? , ., ., , it? this covid alert level is different it? this covid alert level is different. there it? this covid alert level is different. there are - it? this covid alert level is different. there are five i it? this covid alert level is - different. there are five levels and it is decided by the chief medical officers of the four nations of the uk and within the last hour they have increased it from level three to level four. that would signal that rather than the virus circulating generally in the population we have now moved to a situation where transmission is at a high or is rising exponentially. as for what that means, we are not at level five and that is the top level and that would suggest the nhs has come under unsustainable pressure and could be overwhelmed. we are not at that point and that is when you would imagine
and fresh questions about christmas gatherings at downing street last year. we have an important vote coming up next week and he can t even discharge the basic functions of government. is the worst possible lead at the worst possible time. is the worst possible lead at the worst possible time. emergency teams continue the search for survivors in six us states, after tornadoes leave more than 90 people dead coming up in sportsday last lap drama in the grand prix decider max verstappen wins but lewis hamilton s team appeal against the outcome. and later this hour, click explores aland autonomous weaponry and the debate over whether they should be banned from the battlefield. good evening. the uk s covid alert level has been increased from level 3 to level 4, at the recommendation of all four home nations chief medical officers. it follows the rapid spread of the new omicron variant of coronavirus, and is a warning that the nhs is coming under intense pressure. hospitals
in formula 1 max verstappen takes the world title, in a nail biting race that came down to the final lap. and coming up later this hour, ros atkins examines the ethical arguments around vaccine mandates. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. in the past few minutes the uk s covid alert level has been increased. the four chief medical officers have recommended the move from level 3, which means the epidemic is in general circulation, to level 4, which means transmission is high and direct. at 8pm the prime minister will give an update on the booster vaccination programme. we understand no new restrictions will be announced. you can watch it here on bbc news. meanwhile health officials say the first people in the uk have been hospitalised with the omicron variant of coronavirus, with the uk facing an inevitable large wave of infections. ministers say the uk is in a race to get the covid booster to as many eligible people, as quickly as possible, with bookings opening to e
ago. and max verstappen is confirmed as the 2021 formula 1 world champion after stewards dismissed protest by lewis hamilton s team mercedes after last wrap last lap drama at the abu dhabi grand prix but the team say they will appeal again. welcome to bbc news and in a few minute we willjoin clive and viewers on bbc1 for the full national and international news summary. but before let s begin with this our s lead story. borisjohnson has warned the country has faced a tidal wave of omicron, the variant of coronavirus first identified in south africa a fortnight ago. in an address to the nation this evening he said the uk must reinforce the wall of vaccine protection and has set a new deadline ofjabbing every single british person aged over 18 by the new year. here is an extract from the address from the prime minister. ,., , from the address from the prime minister. , , ., ., minister. over the past year we have shown that vaccination minister. over the past year we have s
We will get country this christmas. we will get more from jim reed in a few moments. we will get more from jim reed in a few moments. the government s latest coronavirus figures for the uk, show there were 48,851; new infections recorded in the latest 24 hour period, bringing the average to 51,197 new cases reported each day in the past 7 days. 52 deaths were recorded of people who died within 28 days of a positive test. the average number of people who died each day in the past seven days, was 119. on vaccinations, just over 23 million people have received their third or boosterjab. the prime minister will make an address to the country at eight o clock this evening to provide an update to the covid vaccine booster programme. we understand there will not be any new restrictions imposed. it comes as that covid alert level has changed.