Earlier, ministers in Scotland announced nightclubs would have to close for at least three weeks from 27 December.

Donald MacLeod, who owns the Cathouse and Garage nightclubs in Glasgow, accused the Scottish government of "scaremongering" and "ignoring" evidence which suggests Omicron is milder than other variants.

He also said he had not heard any details on when promised government funding would be available to businesses.

"It's certainly not going to be in place before Christmas," he said.

"This is a nightmare before Christmas for all manner of businesses - ever since Public Health Scotland went rogue two weeks ago and scared everybody off the streets, the economy has been sliding in a vortex ring of doom and gloom.

"This is disgraceful, this is no way to run an industry never mind a country. It's contemptuous."

Image source, Getty Images

Regulators at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say they have authorised Merck & Co's new Covid-19 antiviral pill, after giving the go-ahead to a similar treatment from Pfizer on Wednesday.

The FDA authorised the oral drug, called molnupiravir, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate illness in adults who are at risk for severe disease, and for whom alternative treatments are not available.

The US has a contract to buy as many as five million courses of the drug for $700 per course.

The drug has faced significant scrutiny in recent days, after clinical trial results showed that it reduces hospitalisations and deaths by just 30% among high-risk individuals in the early course of the illness.

On Wednesday, the French government announced that it was cancelling an order for 50,000 pills after the drug's disappointing performance.

Image source, Getty Images

The German airline Lufthansa says it plans to cut 33,000 flights from its winter schedule over disruption caused by new coronavirus restrictions, as health officials announced the Germany's first Omicron death on Thursday (see 14:18 GMT post).

CEO Carsten Spohr added that the airline would have cut even more flights in January if it didn't have to comply with European Union regulations on flight slot usage.

"We have to operate 18,000 additional, unnecessary flights in the winter just to secure our take-off and landing rights," he said.

Spohr noted that the airline has been heavily impacted by the absence of passengers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, which are being hit particularly badly by the pandemic.

"From mid-January to February, we see a sharp downturn in bookings," he said, adding that the 33,000 cancelled flights are equivalent to about 10% of the company's flight plan.

Overall, China and India have administered the highest number of doses, with more than 2.7 billion and 1.4 billion respectively. The US ranks third, with more than 500 million.

But when looking at the percentage of the total population who have been fully vaccinated with two doses, in countries with a population of at least one million, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal and Singapore top the list.

Read more here.

At least 82 countries and territories have begun administering booster jabs - and as this chart shows, the UK has boosted more people than almost any other country. This data does not include the 840,038 boosters announced today (see 14:33 GMT post).

A total of 840,038 booster and third doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been reported in the UK today, according to new figures from the UK's four health agencies.

The is the lowest daily figure since 15 December - but still more than double the average daily figure at the start of the month.

More than 31.6 million booster and third doses have now been delivered in the UK, with 6.2 million in the past seven days.

Image source, Getty Images

Germany's Robert Koch Institute for infectious disease has confirmed the country's first death from the Omicron variant.

The person was between the age of 60 and 79, the institute said.

Some 810 new Omicron cases were recorded in the country, bringing the total number of infections with the more contagious variant to 3,198.

On Tuesday new Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed a range of fresh coronavirus restrictions with Germany's 16 regional leaders.

The rules will come into force from 28 December in a bid to limit the spread of the new variant and to encourage reluctant citizens to come forward for a vaccine.

Under the new measures, a maximum of 10 people who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed to attend a private gathering.

Access to hospitality settings will remain limited to those who have been vaccinated, while sports events will be held without spectators.

Image source, PA Media

And here's more from Prof Balloux - he says London has probably reached the peak of Omicron infections, and other parts of the UK may soon reach it too.

Prof Balloux, from University College London, tells the BBC Radio 4's World at One: "I think in London it has peaked, and in other parts of the country it is kind of peaking or peaking soon.

"There's a bit of a lag between infections and the cases - it takes a little while for people to test positive. I would say probably infections have peaked and cases probably not yet."

On Wednesday, the UK again recorded its highest ever daily number of coronavirus cases - 106,122 - the first time the number has reached six figures.

Asked if these high number of cases were likely to translate into large numbers of hospital admissions and deaths, Balloux says the UK is in a "more comfortable" situation than in previous waves.

This is because of increased amounts of immunity in the population through vaccination and previous infections.

"Yes, I think hospitalisations will go up but not necessarily to a level like we saw in the past," he says.

The current coronavirus situation in the UK does not justify the imposition of more restrictions, an infectious disease expert has said.

Prof Francois Balloux, from University College London, tells BBC Radio 4's World at One programme: "It's important to be very reactive. At the moment things don't look horrible, but it wouldn't be the first time there had been underestimates or overestimates of the severity of the situation.

"But I would think right now I don't think it's a situation that would justify stronger restrictions."

Prof Balloux added that people were behaving "quite carefully" - such as by limiting social contacts - without restrictions being imposed.

Image source, Getty Images

People in Wales who are isolating after testing positive for Covid will not be able to leave quarantine early as is now the case in England.

The UK government has said people in England can end their isolation after seven days instead of 10 if they get negative lateral flow results on days six and seven.

But Health Minister Eluned Morgan said the 10-day rule would remain in Wales as the government wanted a more "risk averse" approach and to put a "brake" on Omicron as much as possible.

First Minister Nicola Surgeon has said she has no immediate plans to change Scotland's rules on self-isolation but she hopes a loosening of restrictions will be possible within the coming weeks.

Northern Ireland has said it will not change isolation rules "at this time" but will keep this under review.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just joining us here's a quick reminder of the main stories so far today:

• UK Covid infections are at their highest level since records began, according to the Office for National Statistics
• The number of NHS staff off work in England because of Covid is rising, with figures up 54% on the previous week
• Nightclubs in Scotland are to close for at least three weeks from 27 December
• There will be no announcement on new measures for England before Christmas, although there could be fresh curbs after then
• If you have a sore throat, runny nose and a headache there is a good chance it will be Covid, UK researchers are warning
• The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be with the Queen on Christmas Day in Windsor, after she cancelled her traditional plans to spend the festive season in Sandringham
• Two more Premier League games have been cancelled because of Covid outbreaks at clubs
• Bulgaria is to give every retired person a cash reward if they get the vaccine
• In Spain, face coverings will be mandatory outside after a dramatic rise in Covid infections

Tim Vizard
Consultant statistician, BBC News

And more on the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics that more than 1.3 million people would have tested positive for Covid in the week ending 16 December (see 13:13).

The ONS says one in 15 primary school children (5.9%) in England would have tested positive for Covid 19 that week.

This continues an increase in the rate of primary school aged children testing positive in recent weeks.

The ONS says the percentage of people testing positive increased in all age groups except for secondary school aged children and those aged 70 and older, where the trend was uncertain.

Infection rates that week were:

• Age two to school Year 6: 5.9% (one in 15)
• School Year 7 to 11: 3.4% (one in 30)
• School Year 12 to age 24: 2.6% (one in 40)
• Age 25 to age 34: 2.8% (one in 35)
• Age 35 to age 49: 3.0% (one in 35)
• Age 50 to age 69: 1.1% (one in 90)
• Age 70+: 0.4% (one in 280)

Here are some of the latest graphics explaining the coronavirus situation around the world. You can find more here.

The US, India and Brazil have seen the highest number of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic, followed by the UK, Russia and Turkey.

Very few places have been left untouched.

The 100 millionth Covid case was recorded at the end of January - about a year after the first officially diagnosed case of the virus.

The true extent of the first outbreak in 2020 is unclear because testing was not then widely available.

Tim Vizard
Consultant statistician, BBC News

Image source, EPA

Some 1,370,700 people in the UK would have tested positive for coronavirus in the week ending 16 December, according to the latest Office for National Statistics survey estimates.

This is the highest level of infections recorded by the ONS since its survey started.

The figure equates to roughly 2.1% of the population, or one in 45 people.

The ONS says the trends for estimated infections increased in England and Scotland, and were uncertain in Wales and Northern Ireland.

The rates of people estimated to be testing positive for coronavirus across the UK were:

• England: one in 45
• Northern Ireland: one in 50
• Wales: one in 55

• Scotland: one in 70

These figures do not reflect the increases seen recently in the UK daily case figures.

On Wednesday, there was another record number of UK daily cases reported on the government's daily coronavirus figures, which are separate from the ONS.

Some 106,122 cases were announced on Wednesday - the first time the number has reached six figures.

Image source, Getty Images

Tougher Covid restrictions are being introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from 26 December.

There are currently no new measures for England - but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he "can't rule out" further restrictions being announced after Christmas.

Here's a quick run-down of some of the changes for each country:

Scotland

From 26 December, there are limits on the size of live public events for three weeks. This means the cancellation of many Hogmanay events, including Edinburgh's main celebrations.

Football matches will be effectively spectator-free, and non-professional indoor contact sports will stop.

People are also being asked to limit social contact to two other households either side of Christmas - and to use lateral flow tests before meeting

Further restrictions will be introduced on 27 December - including nightclubs being closed for three weeks.

Wales

From 06:00 GMT on 26 December, social distancing of 2m will be required in all premises open to the public and workplaces - where reasonable. Gatherings will be limited to six people in premises such as pubs and restaurants, cinemas and theatres.

Further restrictions will be introduced on 27 December - including the closure of nightclubs.

Northern Ireland

From 06:00 on 26 December, nightclubs will be closed, dancing in all hospitality venues will not be allowed and all indoor standing events will not be allowed.

From 06:00 on 27 December hospitality venues including pubs, cafes and restaurants, will be table service only. A maximum of six people (or 10 from a single household) will be allowed at a table, excluding children aged 12 and under.

Read more about the new Covid rules for the UK here.

Image source, Reuters

Bulgaria is set to give every retired person a cash reward if they are vaccinated with a first or second dose.

They will be given a one-off payment of 75 levs (£32) if they get the jab.

Those who have already received three shots of the vaccine will also be eligible for the cash reward, Reuters news agency reports.

Only 27% of eligible adults in Bulgaria are fully jabbed.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Thursday: "Our government’s priority is not to have as many people dying from Covid, but to ease the pressure on hospitals and mainly to protect our elderly who are most at risk."

Image source, Getty Images

The Chinese city of Xi’an remains under lockdown with its 13 million residents told to stay at home.

More than 200 cases have been detected this month, as the city conducts mass testing to try and curb the spread of the virus before the Winter Olympics next February.

Officials say the confirmed cases are the Delta variant.

Under the rules, only one person per household can leave home every two days in order to purchase essential goods.

People are only allowed to leave their home in extenuating circumstances and must have approval from officials to do so.

• Read more here

The Premier League have released a full statement on the 26 December postponements., external

"Following postponement requests from Leeds United and Watford as a result of Covid-19, the Premier League board met this morning and regrettably agreed to call off the two affected clubs’ Boxing Day fixtures," it says.

"The board concluded that Leeds will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend due to the number of players with Covid-19, injuries and illness. The club’s training ground has also been closed after consultation with the UK Health Security Agency and the Premier League," the statement adds.

"Watford continue to have an insufficient number of players to field a team after their match against Crystal Palace last Saturday was postponed following a Covid-19 outbreak.

"Due to players coming out of isolation, it is fully expected Watford will be available for their fixture on Tuesday 28 December, against West Ham United."

Image source, PA Media

After six Premier League games were postponed at the weekend because of Covid outbreaks at clubs, the first postponements for 26 December have been announced.

Liverpool v Leeds and Wolves v Watford are off. Seven games are still scheduled to be played.

Analysis: Proportion of 'With Covid' rather than 'Of Covid' patients rising in Londonpublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2021

12:04 GMT 23 December 2021

Robert Cuffe
BBC head of statistics

The number of people in hospital in London with Covid - but because of something else - has more than doubled so far in December and now stands at just over 400.

The number of people in hospital because of Covid has also risen: by 40% to nearly 1,200.

About 75% of people in hospital with Covid in London are there because of Covid – that’s down from 82% at the start of the month. (For England as a whole, it’s currently just over 70%.)

London leads the way in the Omicron wave, and this picture is consistent with emerging data on an often milder infection that still has the power to put people in hospital.

With huge numbers of people in the capital infected with hopefully mild cases of Covid, we should expect to see more people who turn up for, say, a broken leg but test positive for Covid.

This puts some pressure on hospitals: people with Covid have to be treated differently to prevent outbreaks in hospitals where there are many vulnerable people.

We’re also seeing that many more infections eventually translates into more people getting very sick.

That’s the big question for Omicron: what’s the balance between the increase in the number of people catching and any decrease in the chances of getting really sick if catch it?

Only when we know that will we know for sure where this wave is heading.

Image source, Getty Images

US President Joe Biden has denied his administration bungled its response to the emergence of the Omicron variant.

He told a TV network on Wednesday that “nobody” could have predicted it, despite his top adviser Dr Anthony Fauci saying experts did forsee variants.

In the run-up to Christmas, there have been long waits for in-person tests.

On Wednesday, New York City recorded nearly 29,000 new cases - a new single day record during the pandemic and a 30% jump from the record set earlier this week.

Read more here