HEALTH SECRETARY REFUSES TO RULE OUT FURTHER COVID RESTRICTIONS

The health secretary has refused to rule out further Covid restrictions for England, as the Omicron variant spreads around the country. A further 12,133 Omicron cases have been confirmed in the UK, although the true number is likely to be far higher. Asked about possible new measures to slow the spread, Sajid Javid said there were "no guarantees in this pandemic". The government and devolved leaders discussed the situation in a Cobra meeting on Sunday.