Now playing Next United Kingdom UK hits record COVID-19 levels with nearly 5 million infected The latest surge is driven by the more transmissible omicron variant BA.2, which is the dominant variant across the UK. 02/04/2022
Now playing Next Health Subvariant BA.2: What we know about the most dominant COVID strain BA.2, one of three known subvariants of Omicron, is now the most dominant form of COVID in the world, believed to be more transmissible than previous strains. 30/03/2022
Now playing Next Health Moderna COVID vaccine approved by EU regulator for children aged 5-11 The European Medicines Agency also recommended booster shots for children aged 12 and older. 03/03/2022
Now playing Next Health WHO recommends Merck antiviral pill to treat high-risk COVID patients The World Health Organisation has recommended the use of Merck’s anti-COVID pill for the first time for those at high risk of hospitalisation. 03/03/2022
Now playing Next Health COVID vaccines for children: How do European countries compare? The EMA authorised the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children over 5 years-old and the Omicron variant has put a renewed focus on countries' vaccination campaigns. Which European countries are now vaccinating young people? 25/02/2022
Now playing Next Health More children hospitalised during the Omicron surge compared to Delta A new report by the CDC showed that child hospitalisation rates quadrupled during the Omicron surge compared to during the Delta surge. 16/02/2022
Now playing Next world news Europe's Omicron wave is 'moving east', warns WHO The number of COVID-19 infections has doubled in six countries in the WHO Europe region over the past week. 15/02/2022
Now playing Next Travel News EU travel restrictions could never have stopped Omicron, report finds Aviation bodies are now calling for all EU countries to adopt the new person-based approach. 02/02/2022
Now playing Next Health COVID with Omicron is less severe than Delta, new study finds The study from the US shows that there were shorter hospital stays, less need of intensive care and fewer deaths with Omicron. 26/01/2022
Now playing Next Health Pfizer/BioNTech to start clinical trials on new Omicron COVID vaccine A new formulation of the COVID-19 jab based on the highly infectious Omicron variant is now in clinical trials, the drugmakers said on Tuesday 25/01/2022
Now playing Next Health Omicron survives up to 8 days on plastic surfaces, new study finds The Japanese researchers found Omicron can last up to eight days on plastic surfaces and 21 hours on skin. 24/01/2022
Now playing Next Russia Russia: Omicron cases triple in 10 days, authorities ponder measures Friday's daily tally 49,513 new infections -- the highest in the pandemic -- was higher by more than 49,513 new infections compared the previous day. 21/01/2022
Now playing Next USA Booster shots needed against Omicron, US CDC studies show Three studies released on Friday offered more evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the Omicron variant, at least among people who received booster shots. 21/01/2022
Now playing Next Culture news Adele postpones Las Vegas residency due to Omicron fears The singer made a tearful apology to fans as the dates were postponed because of sickness in her crew members. 21/01/2022
Now playing Next Japan Japan widens virus restrictions as omicron surges in cities Restaurants and bars will close early in Tokyo and a dozen other areas across Japan as the country widens COVID-19 restrictions. 21/01/2022
Now playing Next Travel News Travel bans and vaccination proof no longer needed, advises WHO The World Health Organisation has made a new statement about the future of international travel bans. 20/01/2022
Now playing Next Health Immunity better against COVID Delta variant than vaccines - new study The new study published by the CDC found that people who had been infected by COVID but not vaccinated had a lower risk of getting the Delta variant. 20/01/2022
Now playing Next New Zealand New Zealand says it won't use lockdowns when Omicron spreads “This stage of the pandemic is different to what we have dealt with before. Omicron is more transmissible," Ardern said. “That is going to make it harder to keep it out, but it will also make it more challenging to control once it arrives. But just like before, when COVID changes, we change.” 20/01/2022
Now playing Next Health 'Nocebo effect' cause of most COVID vaccine side effects, study says Researchers say many of the common COVID vaccine side effects could actually be down to the "nocebo effect," the negative placebo effect. 19/01/2022
Now playing Next world news Pandemic is 'nowhere near over', World Health Organization warns The pandemic is "nowhere near over" and new variants are likely to continue emerging after Omicron, the World Health Organization warned. 18/01/2022
