Herald section
The latest health reporting from The Belfast Herald.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the increase of the national COVID-19 risk level from 4 to 5, indicating widespread infection and a risk of exceeding hospital treatment capacity. The change includes limiting public and private gatherings to five people, effective immediately until 17 January.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a third nationwide lockdown in England beginning at midnight. All schools and universities will be closed until mid-February and people will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons like shopping and exercise.
Ontario reports three new cases of the new Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the United Kingdom.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that a lockdown in level four areas such as mainland Scotland will begin at midnight, and that there will be a legal requirement to stay at home for the remainder of the month. Schools will also remain closed.
The UK reported 58,784 new confirmed cases in 24 hours, raising the total to 2,713,563. The figure represents the highest daily number since the pandemic began.
Michigan surpasses 500,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Cyprus reports its first cases of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in 12 people who traveled from the United Kingdom and later tested positive for COVID-19.
Ireland surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19 after a record 4,962 new cases are reported in the past 24 hours.