News you can trust since 1854
BREAKING

Omicron

A new variant of Covid named Eris has emerged as figures show a spike in hospital admissions this summer

New Covid variant found in UK

Symptoms of Arcturus as new Covid strain claims five lives

New highly-infectious covid strain Arcturus kills five Brits

New Covid variant Arcturus has been found in the UK

Arcturus: New Covid variant found in UK

Data reveals the top ten words and names Brits struggle to pronounce the most including Niamh, Omicron & Açaí

Data reveals the top ten words and names Brits struggle to pronounce

The new variant is set to be more transmissible than Omicron (Adobe)

New Covid variant nicknamed ‘The Kraken’ is ‘more transmissible’

UK approve COVID vaccine that targets original strain and Omicron

Royal Mail to hike stamp prices again despite cost of living crisis

The rate of Covid infection in Harborough district is now just over a fifth of what it was just two months ago.

Harborough’s Covid infection rate is now just over a fifth of what it was just t...

The county council’s Covid mobile testing team are in Market Harborough today (Thursday) for the last time.

Covid mobile testing team are in Harborough today (Thursday) for the last time

The district is currently hovering just below the national average – but it has the highest rate in the county

Covid rate in Harborough spirals by almost 70 per cent since earlier this month

Mike Sandys, Leicestershire’s Director of Public Health

Rapid rise in Covid cases across Harborough - health experts urge people to 'uni...
“We have about 194 patients being treated in beds in Leicester’s three main hospitals now – and that’s started creeping up again"

Leicestershire’s public health chief Mike Sandys is urging people in Harborough to be safe rather than sorry as Freedom Day from Covid looms on Thursday.

Leicestershire’s public health chief urges Harborough people to be safe rather t...

The number of people with Covid in Harborough plunged by 32 per cent in a week, the latest official figures show this afternoon.

Latest figures show a huge fall in the number of people with Covid in Harborough

Bondi Beach: Australia to re-open its borders from February 21. Photo: Getty Images

Travel column with Katie Butler: Australia to ease its Covid travel restrictions...

Used car sales jump in ‘volatile’ year as EV demand rockets

The Government is expected to announce a U-turn on mandatory Covid jabs for NHS staff (Photo: Getty Images)

Mandatory Covid jabs for NHS workers ‘to be scrapped’ amid staff shortage fears

People are being urged to continue to wear a mask in Market Harborough’s biggest superstore despite Covid restrictions being eased from tomorrow (Thursday).

People urged to continue wearing masks in Harborough’s biggest superstore

Sainsbury’s is still recommending that shoppers and staff wear face masks inside its stores (Photo: Getty Images)

Sainsbury’s issues face mask update ahead of Plan B rule changes

The WHO says the pandemic is approaching its “endgame” in Europe (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid pandemic reaching ‘endgame’ - but shouldn’t be treated like flu

Mike Sandys, Leicestershire’s Director of Public Health

Number of people with Covid in Harborough has plunged by more than half in two w...

The new website will launch by the end of March 2022 (Photo: Getty Images)

Primark announces new website launch date - how online store will work

Face masks will no longer be mandatory anywhere in England from 27 January (Photo: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson confirms all Plan B restrictions to end in England

Vaccines are the best defence against severe disease and death, says the WHO (Photo: Getty Images)

Worst of Omicron wave ‘done with’ says WHO - but pandemic far from over

Boris Johnson is expected to confirm an easing of Plan B rules today (Photo: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson to give update on lifting Covid Plan B rules today

Around 40,000 teenagers in England will be eligible for their top-up dose from Monday (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid booster jabs to be offered to 16 and 17 year-olds from Monday

Covid passports are reportedly set to be scrapped in England this month (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid passports to be scrapped ‘this month’ as Omicron wave eases

Dozens of passengers in Market Harborough have seen their buses cancelled over the last few days amid the Covid pandemic.

Dozens of passengers in Harborough have seen their buses cancelled over the last...

Holiday bookings are up as travel restrictions are eased. Photo: Getty Images

Testing requirements eased for vaccinated passengers returning back into England
What a busy start to the new year with plenty of new bookings, along with several changes to later in the year and 2023.

The 11-16-year-olds were given the lateral flow test at Welland Park Academy as they returned to school last week after the Christmas and New Year break.

More than 900 students tested for Covid at Harborough secondary school – and not...

Fewer trains will be running from Market Harborough from next Monday (January 17) due to “high levels” of staff absence amid the Omicron virus outbreak.

Fewer trains will be running from Harborough from next Monday due staff absence ...

People are being restricted from visiting their friends and loved ones being treated at St Luke’s Hospital in Market Harborough after a spike in Omicron cases over Christmas and New Year.

Visiting restrictions at St Luke’s Hospital in Harborough after a spike in Omicr...

Cypriots wait in line to receive the third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at a walk-in vaccination centre (Photo: Getty Images)

Experts dismiss claims of new ‘Deltacron’ Covid strain found in Cyprus

The rate of people who have tested positive for the highly-infectious Omicron strain in Harborough now stands at 1,510.4 per 100,000. That’s more than double the district’s previous record.

'Please follow Covid advice' say health experts as Harborough Covid cases hit an...

Travel restrictions between the UK and France have been eased slightly (Photo: Getty Images)

France eases restrictions for UK travellers after ‘supersonic’ rise in Covid cas...

(Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

The warning symptom of Omicron that appears on skin, lips and nails

The tips at Market Harborough and Lutterworth may have to shut temporarily or reduce their opening hours as workers are hit by the dramatic Omicron “surge” in cases.

Harborough and Lutterworth tips may temporarily shut or reduce opening hours

Troops to be deployed in London to help NHS amid staff shortages (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Troops to be deployed in London to help NHS amid staff shortages

Harborough District Council is still carrying out all of its vital services despite fast-rising Covid cases hitting a record high locally.

Harborough District Council still carrying out vital services despite fast-risin...

Scrapping international travel restrictions would have no impact on case rates, claims travel industry (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

Scrapping international travel restrictions would have no impact on case rates, ...

Boris Johnson to stick with ‘Plan B’ Covid measures despite mounting pressures (Photo by JACK HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Boris Johnson to stick with ‘Plan B’ Covid measures despite mounting pressures

Boris Johnson confirms Plan B rules to continue as UK daily cases hit record hig...

Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire

Health boss's views on Omicron as Harborough's Covid infection rate reaches new ...

Worst of the pandemic is ‘absolutely behind us’ according to leading vaccine scientist Photo by JACOB KING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Worst of the pandemic is ‘absolutely behind us’ according to leading vaccine sci...

Exotic pets, like scorpions and venomous spiders, caused dozens of hospitalisations (image: Shutterstock)

Thousands injured by unusual activities during Covid lockdowns

Ministers to review Omicron data to decide if tighter measures will be needed in England (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Ministers to review Omicron data to decide if tighter measures will be needed in...

Paxlovid has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (Photo: Shutterstock)

New oral Covid antiviral treatment given approval for use in UK

The self-isolation period starts immediately from the onset of symptoms or a positive test (Photo: Shutterstock)

The rules on leaving self-isolation if you still test positive after 10 days

Work on eight hubs is due to begin this week (Photo: Getty Images)

New Covid Nightingale ‘surge hubs’ being set up to manage Omicron wave

Cost of living: families could face financial 'catastrophe' in 2022 with many set for £1,200 hit to income (Photo: Shutterstock)

Families could face financial ‘catastrophe’ with £1,200 hit to income

Travel Bosses demand end to expensive Covid tests for Brits returning from holidays as Omicron 'has already spread' (Photo: Shutterstock)

Travel bosses demand end to expensive Covid tests as Omicron ‘has already spread...

Boris Johnson made an urgent plea for people to come forward for their booster (Photo: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson warns 90% of people in ICU have not had Covid booster

A lateral flow test result is interpreted by the two letters on the device (Photo: Shutterstock)

What it means if Covid lateral flow test result shows a faint red line

A return to the “rule of six” for England is one of the options reportedly being considered by government officials amid the spread of the Omicron Covid variant (Photo: Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Return to 'rule of six' for England being considered amid Omicron spread

Those who are infected with Omicron may develop a hoarse voice (Photo: Shutterstock)

The first warning symptom of Omicron you can hear before feeling ill

New Year’s Eve parties have been given the green light to go ahead in England (Photo: Getty Images)

New Year parties given green light in England as new restrictions ruled out