U.K.'s Lockdown Anniversary Marked by Another Virus Surge

Two years ago, Prime Minister Boris Johnson locked down the U.K., instructing people to stay at home and imposing sweeping restrictions in a desperate effort to slow the surging coronavirus. Today, lockdowns are history. But Covid-19 remains. In recent weeks, cases have risen anew, driven by the highly infectious omicron BA.2 subvariant. On Wednesday, the government reported more than 100,000 new cases -- far above levels during the first wave in 2020, when testing was less widespread. The number has averaged almost 80,000 over the past two weeks, based on reporting-date figures.