Omicron

What we know about the new COVID FLiRT variants including symptoms

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’

Greggs saw sales rise sharply last year

Greggs serves up a jump in sales during 2022

Kylie Ann Ford as Carla (left) and Christina Berriman Dawson as Heather (right).

Review of The Wasp at The Customs House, South Shields

UK approve COVID vaccine that targets original strain and Omicron

Crew shortages hit Shields Ferry services.

Evening ferry services to return after crew shortage hit crossings

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

Kath Griffin.

Hospital chief's help pledge to under pressure staff

Tyneside Home Improvements (THI) managing director Kevin Kerr.

Firm bucks the trend to rake in record £7million turnover

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday February 9, 2022. See PA story Politics PMQs. Photo credit should read: House of Commons/PA Wire

Covid-19 self-isolation rules could be scrapped within weeks

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

Second-hand prices continue to rise as pressure on new car sales boost demand for used models

Matt Allan

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

No cases of the "stealth Omicron" variant have been discovered in South Tyneside.

Scientists discover no cases of the ‘stealth Omicron’ variant in South Tyneside

Nexus has urged Metro passengers to continue wearing masks

Metro, bus and ferry passengers urged to keep wearing masks

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

Patients are being urged to accept the measures.

Covid measures to remain in place at area's hospitals

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed all Covid testing travel requirements will be scrapped. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/PA

Scrapping of covid testing for vaccinated travellers arriving in UK confirmed

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

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

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured ahead of PMQs on Wednesday, January 19. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images.

When the Covid Plan B rules will lift in England

Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures whilst speaking at a press conference in London's Downing Street after ministers met to consider imposing new restrictions in response to rising cases and the spread of the Omicron variant. Picture date: Wednesday December 8, 2021.

Covid Plan B rules to end as Omicron wave has 'peaked nationally'

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 Claire Schofield

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

2,000 teenagers double jabbed

2,000 South Tyne teenagers now double jabbed

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

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

Testing requirements eased for vaccinated passengers returning back into England

Triple jab numbers

Over 80,000 'triple jabbed' in South Tyneside

Refuse collection has been one of the areas hardest hit

Council leader appeals for patience during 'unprecedented' sickness levels

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

A file picture of a passerby in a mask as concerns are raised over the level of covid infection in the North East.

North East sees 'concerning' rise in Omicron, says expert

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

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

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has written to local councils

£30million+ support for North East businesses hit by Omicron variant

The Shields Ferry is suspending evening services for the foreseeable future

Shields ferry suspends evening service to deal with impact of omicron variant

The rise of the Omicron variant has caused the return of some Covid restrictions.

Watch: 'All of my family have had Covid over Christmas' - how has Omicron affect...

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...

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...

We take a look at the hcurrent travel restrictions in England as we enter 2022.

Covid travel and quarantine rules for England

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

Thousands injured by unusual activities during Covid lockdowns

We take a look at the current Covid-19 restrictions across the UK. Picture: PA.

The Covid-19 restrictions across the UK in 2022

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...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tasked ministers with developing "robust contingency plans" for workplace absences as the Government acknowledged high Covid levels could hit businesses hard over the coming weeks. Public sector leaders have been asked to prepare for a worst case scenario of up to a quarter of staff off work as the virus continues to sweep across the country, the Cabinet Office said. Issue date: Saturday January 1, 2022.

PM wants plans for huge staff shortages as Omicron set to hit businesses

Visiting has been suspended at South Tyneside and Sunderland hospitals.

Figures show amount of pressure on hospitals over Christmas

A merry New Year in Newcastle.

19 pictures as friends, couples and families enjoy New Year's Eve in Newcastle

Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

Health Secretary says restrictions must be 'last resort'