UK 'must wait until new year' to understand omicron's true threat

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( December 03, 2021 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [True threat posed by omicron unlikely to be known until new year, warn government advisers]( The true threat posed by the omicron coronavirus variant is unlikely to be determined until the turn of the new year, scientific advisers to the government have warned. Experts from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) believe “the worse the problem is going to be, the earlier we will know” – but it’s expected to take a month before data indicates whether omicron will drive a surge in hospitalisations among the vaccinated. More than 40 cases have now been detected in the UK, but analysis suggests the real figure may be much higher, amid concern that holes in the country’s Covid testing network could lead to an underreporting of omicron infections. 2 / [Britain promised to take in these Syrian families. Instead, they’re scavenging through bins to survive]( Hundreds told they could have sanctuary as long ago as 2018 are still waiting 3 / [Conservative majority dented in Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election]( Louie French becomes country’s newest MP 4 / [Ghislaine Maxwell trial: Epstein housekeeper drove accuser ‘Jane’ to Florida mansion, court hears]( Epstein ordered staff to keep his cars stocked with $100 bills, court hears 5 / [Routine hospital care will be hit if NHS to meet booster deadline, health chiefs warn]( Exclusive: ‘We don’t have enough staff to manage the vaccinations we have now,’ warns one trust leader The Big Question Should office Christmas parties be going ahead as omicron threat looms? The UK government’s stance on festive celebrations became muddled this week as it wrestled with the heightened threat from the omicron variant and fears that it could reduce Covid immunity. While science minister George Freeman (above) suggested larger businesses should cancel their staff Christmas parties - his department’s will be held via Zoom - and work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey cautioned against kissing under the mistletoe, a Downing Street spokesman said the opposite. So what is the official advice and how safe is it to proceed? [Read the full story >]( Watch / [Adorable baby seal and mother lounge on Norfolk beach during high winds]( NUMBER OF THE DAY £60,000 Conservative backbencher Stephen McPartland has registered new advisory work worth £60,000 a year, despite a series of scandals over MPs’ financial interests. QUOTE OF THE DAY “Twitter isn’t real life”. – Richard Wood, the British ambassador to Norway, in his defence of the much-maligned Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, which is gifted each year by Norway to the UK as thanks for Britain supporting the Nordic country during the Second World War Other stories you might like [Omicron: Furlough must be ready to go if new Covid restrictions imposed, ministers told]( [Britons left disappointed by 'sad' Trafalgar Square Christmas tree]( [Businesses ramp up stockpiling as supply chain crisis continues]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.