The Latest Breaking News from Omicron

LOS ANGELES — In a sign of how the new coronavirus wave continues to spread across California, two-thirds of the state’s counties are now in the high COVID-19 community level, in which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends universal masking in indoor public spaces.

Patient levels are now around two thirds of the peak reached during the Omicron BA.2 wave.

Two Omicron sub-variants are causing a sudden spike in Covid cases across the UK. Here are the symptoms of the BA.4 and BA.5 coronavirus sub-variants that you need to be aware of

It is reported the latest rise stems from two new variants of the Omicron strain.

Why COVID cases are rising and what we know about how past infections and vaccines interact with Omicron BA.4 and BA.5.

New versions of Omicron are causing another surge in cases

Experts warn of fifth wave of infections as hospital admissions rise

Requirement to wear coverings in certain spaces dropped as part of government’s ‘Living with Covid’ strategy but increasingly advisable as cases rise

Current guidance means public no longer legally required to enter quarantine but doing so advisable for safety of others, particularly as cases rise

Experts warn fifth wave of coronavirus infections underway as hospital admissions rise

The jab engineered to tackle the new variants causing a summer wave is expected to be approved for use in the UK