COVID news live – UK latest: London face mask rules creating ‘atmosphere of fear’ as Plan B ends – Sky News

Around 30,375 NHS staff at hospital trusts in England were off work due to being unwell with COVID or having to self-isolate each day in the week leading up to 23 January, according to data from NHS England.

This was down 15% on the average of 35,555 staff absences during the previous week, but still nearly double the 17,836 average days off in the seven days up to 19 December.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said: "While it is positive to see more NHS staff back at work, pressure on the NHS is still intense, having seen the busiest week for ambulances taking patients to A&E since the start of December - up almost 2,000 on the week before last - all while pushing to deliver as many routine checks and procedures as possible, including vital diagnostic checks."

The figures also showed the biggest drop was in the North West, with the seven-day average down 25% from 7,485 in the week to 16 January to 5,654 in the seven days up to 23 January.

This was followed by London, which was down 22% from 3,810 to 2,961, then the Midlands, down 13% from 8,498 to 7,428.

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COVID news live - UK latest: London face mask rules creating 'atmosphere of fear' as Plan B ends - Sky News