Omicron

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 Will Millar

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

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

Greggs saw sales rise sharply last year

Greggs serves up a jump in sales during 2022 Kevin Clark

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

Review of The Wasp at The Customs House, South Shields Ross Robertson

UK approve COVID vaccine that targets original strain and Omicron Daniel Mcneil

Crew shortages hit Shields Ferry services.

Evening ferry services to return after crew shortage hit crossings Ross Robertson

Read This Royal Mail to hike stamp prices again despite cost of living crisis Isabella Boneham

Kath Griffin.

Hospital chief's help pledge to under pressure staff Andrew Dowdeswell

Tyneside Home Improvements (THI) managing director Kevin Kerr.

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

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 James Harrison

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... Jane Chippindale

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

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 Ryan Smith

Nexus has urged Metro passengers to continue wearing masks

Metro, bus and ferry passengers urged to keep wearing masks Kevin Clark

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

Read This Sainsbury’s issues face mask update ahead of Plan B rule changes Claire Schofield

Patients are being urged to accept the measures.

Covid measures to remain in place at area's hospitals Ross Robertson

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 Neil Fatkin

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 Claire Schofield

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 Claire Schofield

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 Debra Fox

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' James Harrison

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

Refuse collection has been one of the areas hardest hit

Council leader appeals for patience during 'unprecedented' sickness levels Kevin Clark

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 Claire Schofield

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 By Ted Hennessey, PA

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... Claire Schofield

(Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

Read This The warning symptom of Omicron that appears on skin, lips and nails Claire Schofield

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 Ethan Shone

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has written to local councils

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

The Shields Ferry is suspending evening services for the foreseeable future

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

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... Graham Murray

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, ... Ethan Shone

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 Ethan Shone

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

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... Ethan Shone

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

Covid travel and quarantine rules for England Sam Johnson

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

Thousands injured by unusual activities during Covid lockdowns Henry Sandercock

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

The Covid-19 restrictions across the UK in 2022 Catherine Lough, PA

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... Ethan Shone

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 By Amy Gibbons, PA Political Correspondent

Visiting has been suspended at South Tyneside and Sunderland hospitals.

Figures show amount of pressure on hospitals over Christmas Ross Robertson

A merry New Year in Newcastle.

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