Italy is set to relax isolation rules while Spain will cut quarantine period; the World Health Organization says it is not advisable to reduce Covid controls as case numbers surge
- Chinese police parade suspected Covid rule-breakers through streets
- UK reports another record rise with more than 183,000 daily Covid cases
- Up to three Covid jabs a year could be needed for protection, data suggests
- US sets record for new daily Covid cases amid Omicron surge
- See all our coronavirus coverage
Here’s a reminder of the news overnight that NHS England is looking to set up new “pop-up” Covid facilities. My colleagues Rowena Mason and Aubrey Allegretti report:
NHS England confirmed that it was creating new small-scale “Nightingale” facilities with up to 100 beds each at eight hospitals across the country. The health service said it had asked trusts to identify empty spaces to accommodate beds in places such as gyms or teaching areas. NHS managers are aiming to create up to 4,000 beds as surge capacity if needed, with work on the first tranche, in temporary structures, starting this week.
