The Latest Breaking News on COVID-19

Updated Covid vaccines are nearly ready as alarm grows over new variant’s rapid spread

The new shot will be rolled out in the third or fourth week of September, according to Reuters

The Independent UK · Sep 6, 2023

What is the new Covid variant dubbed as ‘Pirola’ and how many cases are there in the US?

The new Covid strain was placed under the World Health Organisation’s monitoring list

The Independent UK · Sep 6, 2023

New ‘Pirola’ Covid variant is rapidly spreading, leaving US doctors worried

The highly mutated Omicron subvariant has been detected in four US states

The Independent UK · Sep 6, 2023

Laughing gas to become illegal class C substance in UK

People caught producing or selling nitrous oxide could face 14 years in prison under new rules

The Guardian - UK · Sep 5, 2023

Laughing gas to be banned by end of 2023 – with users facing two years in prison

Secondary legislation has been brought forward on Tuesday which will control nitrous oxide as a class C substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The Independent UK · Sep 5, 2023

What’s the difference between Pirola, Eris and Pi? Covid variants explained

New mutated variants are ‘competing with each other’ as experts warn new waves expected in winter

The Independent UK · Sep 5, 2023

Nitrous oxide to become class C drug with users facing two year prison sentences

User of laughing gas will face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine, while dealers could receive 14 years sentences

Evening Standard · Sep 5, 2023

Fears over new ‘Pirola’ Covid variant as scientists warns UK has ‘let our guard down’

Jury still out on whether UK is set to face ‘a major wave’, amid hopes expedited booster will be effective against new variant ‘Pirola’

The Independent UK · Sep 5, 2023

What to do if you have Covid 2023: Should you test and isolate if you have symptoms?

New Covid-19 variant Pirola was identified in the UK in August

Evening Standard · Sep 4, 2023

BA.2.86: New Covid variant ‘not causing big rise in hospitalisations in London’ but boosters brought forward

Capital seeing a ‘modest increase’ in cases but ‘nothing like the level’ seen in the past

Evening Standard · Sep 4, 2023