Retired NHS staff could be drafted in and pre-planned treatments delayed as Omicron hits its peak.
Arsenal will face Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, while Chelsea will meet Tottenham.
Ireland are stunned by the United States, who win the historic first Twenty20 International between the sides by 26 runs in Florida.
Caoimhin Kelleher saves two penalties as Liverpool win a shootout against Leicester City to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Cardiff Devils' Elite League title ambitions suffer a setback following defeat at home by Coventry Blaze.
Glentoran go into the annual festive derby with Linfield level on points with the Blues at the top of the Irish Premiership after a 2-0 victory over Coleraine.
Organic chicken farmers Matt and Louise MacDonald say they have thousands of eggs they cannot sell.
Ross County strike a significant blow in the Scottish Premiership relegation fight after beating St Johnstone to move four points clear of the division's bottom side.
Brothers Rory and Jay Donnelly are on target as Glentoran beat Coleraine 2-0 at the Showgrounds to secure their eighth Irish Premiership win in a row.
Tottenham move into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup as they edge out West Ham in a thrilling quarter-final tie.
Canadian provinces are reporting record-breaking case counts as Omicron becomes the dominant strain.
Shaun Maloney gets his managerial career off to a winning start as Hibernian beat Aberdeen to leapfrog their visitors and move back into the Scottish Premiership's top six.
Chelsea reach their third major semi-final in 11 months under Thomas Tuchel after scoring two late goals to beat west London neighbours Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.
