Here are the coronavirus headlines for Monday, November 8, as charity Rape Crisis England and Wales says the Covid pandemic "exacerbated trauma" of sex abuse survivors.
Head of Rape Crisis England and Wales said the pandemic had: "only added to the dizzying number of challenges already faced by rape victims and support services"
The charity said victims and survivors are "experiencing trauma that is exacerbated by lockdown isolation, pandemic-related bereavement, job insecurity and daily pressures."
The charity reported that services over their 39 centres had risen to around 75,000 people in the last 12 months, an increase of 14&. Additionally, their waiting lists to speak to a councillor or therapist reached a record high of 10,000, double the recorded number from four years ago.
Read more: The latest coronavirus infection rates, cases and deaths for all parts of Wales
The report - Holding It Together - said Rape Crisis Centres provided more than one million sessions of specialist support, including advocacy, emotional support and counselling in the last 12 months, an increase of 41% on the previous year.
The report said: "For victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, rape and all forms of sexual violence, and for the Rape Crisis Centres that support them, Covid-19 has only added to the dizzying number of challenges already faced.
"The pandemic has been yet another crisis overlaying several long-term crises already in existence: gender inequality and the subsequent endemic of sexual violence and abuse, chronic underfunding and the short-term commissioning of services, and an utterly collapsed criminal justice system."
Jayne Butler, Rape Crisis England and Wales chief executive, said: "Our Covid report demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of our Rape Crisis Centres and workers, who have rapidly increased service provisions to meet user demand.
"It is clear from the report, that victims and survivors need access to specialist sexual violence and abuse services more than ever."
USA reopens borders to fully vaccinated visitors from the UK
In a vital boost to the travel sector, the first flight full of fully vaccinated UK passengers will leave today for the first time since the travel ban was introduced.
Thousands of travellers are set to jet off on transatlantic flights for long-awaited reunions with family and friends.
Rival airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlanticare operate a synchronised departure from Heathrow from parallel runways at 8.30am before flying to New York JFK.
British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said the reopening of the US borders was a "moment to celebrate" after "more than 600 days of separation".
He continued: "Transatlantic connectivity is vital for the UK's economic recovery, which is why we've been calling for the safe reopening of the UK-US travel corridor for such a long time.
"We must now look forward with optimism, get trade and tourism back on track and allow friends and families to connect once again."
His counterpart at Virgin Atlantic, Shai Weiss, said: "The US has been our heartland for more than 37 years and we are simply not Virgin without the Atlantic.
"We've been steadily ramping up flying to destinations including Boston, New York, Orlando, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and we can't wait to fly our customers safely to their favourite US cities to reconnect with loved ones and colleagues."
UK Government warns of Christmas Covid restrictions amid booster jab push
The Government has warned of Christmas Covid restrictions as it urges people to take up booster jabs amid waning resistance.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the push to get people to have the top-up was a "national mission".
Meanwhile, the chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency said the number of deaths among the vaccinated population is on the rise as protection weakens.
Ministers are also considering changing the rules, so those who have not received the top-up jab may face travel restrictions.
Mr Javid said younger relatives should urge eligible parents and grandparents to take up the offer of a booster and the flu vaccine, saying if "we all come together and play our part" then the country can "avoid a return to restrictions and enjoy Christmas".
He said: "We know immunity begins to wane after six months, especially for the elderly and the vulnerable, and booster vaccines will top up their protection to keep people safe over the winter.
"I strongly urge everybody who is eligible for a Covid-19 booster or flu vaccine to take up the offer as soon as you can.
"And if you haven't yet had your first and second vaccines, it is not too late, the NHS will always be there to welcome you with open arms."
Big Bird comes under fire for advocating Covid-19 vaccine
Texas senator Ted Cruz lead condemnations from conservatives of a public figure for advocating the coronavirus vaccine for children.
The update on Big Bird's vaccination status comes as the USA announced the approval of a low-dose vaccine for children aged 5 - 11.
Big Bird, who the show states is six-and-a-half, announced his vaccination via Twitter.
The senator responded: "Government propaganda … for your 5 year old!"
However, the yellow giant had support from the president who tweeted: "Good on ya, @BigBird. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep your whole neighborhood safe."
Senior doctor urges pregnant women to get vaccinated
A senior doctor has urged pregnant women to get the Covid vaccine "as soon as you can" to protect themselves and their baby.
Professor Adam Finn, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told BBC News that un-vaccinated pregnant women should not "defer the vaccination until after the pregnancy has ended but to get vaccinated while they are pregnant".
His call came as the family of a woman who died last week before getting the chance to hold her new-born daughter made their own plea for people to get the jab.
Prof Finn told the BBC: "We now recognise that pregnant women are really at very substantially higher risk of getting seriously ill as compared to women of the same age who are not pregnant, and of course that increases the risk of premature delivery and the risks for the child.
"So pregnant women wherever you are in your pregnancy, come forward, get vaccinated and protect yourself and your baby as soon as you can.
"There are no described risks and very large numbers of pregnant women have now received these vaccines without any report of lost pregnancies or damage or injury to the foetus.
"So far no evidence at all of any risks of the vaccine, but lots of evidence of real risk of the infection."
Booster administered to 10 million so far
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that 10 million people in the UK have come forward for their booster so far.
He made the announcement via his Twitter account - it read: "We know vaccine immunity wanes over time, so boosters are vital in keeping you and your loved ones protected through the winter.
"Please get this lifesaving jab as soon as you are called."
Aukland to end lockdown this month
The lockdown of New Zealand's largest city is likely to end later this month, with some coronavirus restrictions eased from Tuesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said.
Auckland has been in lockdown for almost three months after an outbreak of the delta variant. The outbreak has grown to more than 4,500 cases with about 150 new infections reported each day over the past week.
Ms Ardern said on Monday the city's improving vaccination rate among people age 12 and older meant it could continue cutting back on restrictions.
"Auckland hit 90% first dose and 80% second dose over the weekend, and it's now a matter of weeks away from 90% double-dose," Ms Ardern said.
"And so while we're getting those rates higher still, we are easing into our reopening."
From tomorrow, retail stores and malls in Auckland can reopen, along with libraries, museums and zoos. Outdoor gatherings will be increased from a maximum of 10 people to 25.
Other facilities such as gyms and cinemas will remain shut, and many Aucklanders will continue working from home.
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