i'm john berman. brianna is off. erica hill joins me this morning. on this "new day", concern, not panic. president biden laying out his plan to fight the fast spreading omicron variant as americans begin to gather for the holidays. but will it be in you?

>> the uk reducing its covid isolation period from 10 days to 7. why the u.s. may not be far behind. allies of president trump stonewalling. michael cohen suing to keep his records under wraps. what's behind the nhl's big decision? ♪ good morning to our viewers here in the united states and all around the world. it is wednesday, december 22nd. millions of americans are set to travel and gather with loved ones this week. and president biden is reassuring the vaccinated to go ahead with the holiday plans despite the covid resurgence. he says the country is better prepared to fight and contain the omicron variant. >> we should all be concerned

about omicron, but not panicked. and, no, this is not march of 2020. 200 million people are fully vaccinated. we're prepared. we know more. we just have to stay focused. >> the president ruled out lockdowns, promising to keep businesses and schools open. but for millions of americans who are still unvaccinated, he pulled no punches, issuing a dire warning. >> almost everyone who has died from covid-19 in the past many months has been unvaccinated. honest to god, i believe it's your patriotic duty. your choice can be the different between life or death. please get vaccinated. >> the white house announcing several new measures to expand testing and vaccinations and ease the pressure on overburdened hospitals. still, some health experts say the health measures are too

little too late. washington, d.c. seeing the highest number of covid cases to date in the pandemic. while the numbers are skyrocketing, it is important to keep a focus on hospitalizations. that number will really tell us what we need to know. it is rising steadily nationwide. the thing to focus on, it is not yet spiking. jeremy diamond is live at the white house. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, erica. president biden yesterday addressing an answer and exhausted nation in the face of this omicron variant. president biden making very clear that those americans who are vaccinated do not need to be concerned, they are well protected from serious illness and death. but the president making an urgent plea to get vaccinated arguing it is your patriotic duty to do so. but he also spoke to those frustrations that i was just mentioning. listen in. >> i know you're tired.

i really mean this. and i know you're frustrated. we all want this to be over, but we're still in it. and this is a critical moment. and also we have more tools than we ever had before. we're ready. we'll get through this. as we head into the holidays, i want us all to keep the faith. >> reporter: and that was ultimately the president's central message, making clear that while cases are rising we are not at the same time we were last year and this surge is not going to be the same, there will not be lockdowns and shutdowns that marred previous periods of the pandemic. the president announcing new actions to try to help with the surge of coronavirus cases, including ramping up federally-run testing sites, sending out 500 million rapid at-home test kits, as well as deploying as many as 1,000 military service members to help

with overwhelmed hospitals. on all of this, particularly on the 500 million tests, it is notable, yesterday a senior administration official told us at cnn that, look, they are still working on the details of this website. they will have the details in the coming weeks. much of this will come not know when millions of americans are feeding a rapid test by in weeks to come ahead. the president growing quite defensively frankly, given public health experts have been warning we have a shortage of tests. the president insisting it didn't take long at all and what happened is the omicron variant spread more rapidly than any of us expected. . >> jeremy diamond with the latest for us. jeremy, thank you. the federal deposit is launching testing sites in major cities, including new york, to help with the overwhelming demand for covid tests. shimon prokupecz live in new

york city. shimon, we have seen lines there not long after this time of the morning. what are you seeing? >> reporter: it's early, john, plus it's raining. that could be playing into what's going o. some of the locations putting people on waiting lists trying to keep people out of lines, keep them out of being together. perhaps that's what's going to here. yesterday's numbers indicate the city is still seeing a large amount of positive cases. 14,000 people testing positive just in new york city, putting the positivity rate over 10%. now, that is lower than the day before of 15,000. but certainly indications that this is not slowing down here in new york city. testing has gone down to about 23%. the mayor yesterday saying despite all this, they still need more testing, more sites. and he wants the federal government to help. take a listen to what the mayor said. >> i want to see obviously that

supply expand quickly, and i urge the president to use the defense production act to the absolute maximum. because we're going to need much, much more in the way of testing to get through omicron and really put the covid era behind us. we will need billions and billions of test kits for the whole country. >> reporter: the city saying -- the mayor saying they will open about another 100 sites, some of them mobile, to get to these communities that really need the testing. also keep in mind, at-home testing, that is another key part of this. obviously, the biden administration saying they're going to send people test kits to their homes. but the mayor saying he wants more test kits. also for boosters. that's the other big thing here. getting people vaccinated. they are 82% of adults vaccinated here in new york city. there is still a big push to get more people vaccinated but also boosters. they're saying they're offering

$100 to people now who are willing to get boosted before the end of the year, john. >> an extra benefit. thanks so much for being with us this morning. new overnight, the uk announcing it will cut the self-isolation period in many cases for krut from senn to sev. what exactly is being considered here? >> reporter: what some of our top health officials are considering is either following the footsteps of the uk or cutting it in half to five days. so the current cdc guidance is for anyone with covid-19 to self-isolate for ten days. that's regardless of your srags na -- vaccination status. or after you test positive if you don't have symptoms.

doctors and scientists say that isolation period for the fully vaccinated, and if you show no symptoms could be shortened to five days. one argument for that, if it shortens it to five days, that limits some of the time essential workers will be staying at home and staying away from the front lines. so physicians, for instance, who have covid and are fully vaccinated are staying at home for five days instead of ten days, that ensures having health care workers available. dr. rochelle walensky says they are reviewing the science. have a listen. >> we're viewing that science and that policy right now and understanding in the context of people who have been vaccinated, people who have been boosted, people who have mild or no symptoms associated with what might be a positive test. they have some low level of infection, but they're not being

symptomatic. we're reviewing that science right now. >> reporter: erica, this is being renewed. we can expect to hear more in the coming days and weeks. >> we'll be watching that. i know you will bring it to us as soon as you hear it. jacqueline, thank you. now dr. chris pernell. on top of everything else, israel is recommending people older than 6 0rbgs also medical workers and the immow compromised, receive a fourth shot, a booster after the booster. do you think that's something the united states should consider? >> i don't know that we have the science yet to support a fourth dose. i think israel's move is mainly what they are seeing as a preemptive strike, if you will, trying to head off the worst of a potential omicron spread. it is likely after a third booster your immunity wanes.

they are starting with the most vulnerable, those over 60, those who work in health care, and those with chronic conditions. . >> as we look at it, it can be so confusing. israel was using a different time frame. we're saying six months after your second shot you are eligible for the booster. now israel talking about the fourth dose. why are they not only making this preemptive strike, but also why are the time frames different than they are here in the u.s.? >> because there is data, erica, from the studies that your immunity wanes because the circulating antibodies start to drop at the 20-week mark. that is not the only type of immune defense the body has. it has memory b cells and the body has t cells.

in addition to those circulating antibodies which may be dropping off, the memory b cells and t cells are able to give you more durability in your immune response. so you see a different interpretation of when the booster should be given. i think it is closer to the five-month mark. we are looking at six months out from the completed series in the u.s. that is all open to further discovery and further change in the policy. >> dr. purnell, we're all looking for signs or clues whether omicron is different than previous variants. and there's a new study out of the uk, south africa and japan, that finds it might be less likely to cause severe lung disease. we should note it hasn't been peer reviewed yet. how optimistic should we be about this? >> i think it's fascinating information, john. basically what the researchers are finding is that the omicron variant may be less likely to enter the lung cell.

once it has entered the lung cell, it may be less likely to fuse. if it's less likely to fuse, its ability to spread is impaired. and i want people to manage this news it is not just a respiratory illness. you can have immine cascade that leads to clotting and things of that nature. while this is an interesting fact, we just have to see what the totality of the data and the science proves >> terrific advice. if we don't see you again, have a wonderful, safe, healthy holiday. >> same to you. a rare moment of common ground. president biden giving credit to his predecessor on the vaccines. his message to unvaccinated americans. meanwhile, the former president planning to hold a january 6th news conference exactly one year after the

capitol insurrection. his latest effort to rewrite history. plus, president biden said he doesn't hold a grudge against senator joe manchin. he said they can get something done. can build back better be built back from the dead? i'm at a moss for words. when a cough tries to steal dad's punchlines, he takes robitussin naturals powered by 100% drug-free ingredients. are you gonna leaf me hanging? soothe your cough naturally.

still sees a pathway for his signature build back better social safety plan to become

law. he laid out what he believes is ahead if his party fails to get it over the finish line. listen. >> you strip away all the dignity of a parent looking at their child. i'm not joking about this. imagine being a parent looking at a child and you can't afford, you have no house to borrow against, you have no savings. it's wrong. but all the things in that bill are going to reduce prices and costs for middleclass and working class people. >> with us now cnn political commentator s.e. cupp. s.e., good morning to you. >> good morning. in addition to hearing from the president yesterday, what we did not hear from the president or joe manchin last night when he was on a phone call with democratic caucus members in the senate, was more bile. they both seemed to be going at

it much gentler with each other. so what does that mean for january when everyone comes back? is there a pathway forward? >> i don't know. but i think joe biden at some point has to cut and run, has to move on. you know, instead of spending a year and having really nothing to show for it, i think he needs to turn his attention to the small ws, especially going into a midterm election year. and there are lots of things he can effort to pass that actually have democratic support. and the bottom line is the build back better plan which started in the 6 trillions and now is now down to the 1 trillions does not have democratic support. it doesn't have the votes. so i think joe biden, both as a strategy and in practical ways, should focus on the wins he can get. >> so another remarkable thing

happened yesterday when president biden was speaking. i think it's remarkable in the path that it has taken after. president biden said nice things about the former president and the authorization of the vaccine. listen to this. >> omicron is serious, potentially deadly business for unvaccinated people. let me be clear. thanks toplt prior administration and our scientific community, america is one of the first countries to get the vaccine. . >> and he also praised the former president for saying he got boosted. and then donald trump does an interview with fox, genuinely touched that president biden said nice things about him. and then he goes on to say nice things about the vaccine. i was like, really, it's that easy to get the former president to say nice things about the vaccine? >> i mean, this is a performance. and, you know, trump has sort of made some outrage -- selfishly,

right? when he is complimented, he can compliment back. don't expect that to last. donald trump and bill o'reilly went into a crowd and got booed when they admitted they were boosted. getting love on that anywhere probably feels good to donald trump considering the audience he made, which is now against very common sense things like vaccines and mask wearing. . >> look, any day there is consensus on something like vaccinations and boosters is a good thing. i wouldn't bet your farm on it lasting, but it's good for now. we also learned from donald trump that he is going to hold a news conference at mar-a-lago on january 6th, the one-year anniversary of the insurrection. what do you see here, s.e.? >> that makes me physically ill, john. january 6th was one of the

darkest days in modern american history. people lost their lives that day for one reason and one reason only, donald trump refuses to accept the outcome of an election. he still refuses to accept that. he is still stoking that anger and that delusion. and the idea that he would hold any kind of propaganda event, let's be clear that's what it will be, where he takes another opportunity to spread more lies, which i presume he will, where he exploits a tragedy, which i presume he will. and where he potentially stokes more violence and encourages, tacitly or outright, makes me very nervous and afraid, for what that event is going to do. >> it also, i think, will be very interesting to see how

republicans in congress respond to that. these are people who largely followed him over the last year. are they going to sing his praises on that day? >> undoubtedly. i have no doubt. john, i have long given up on the sort of pivot that republicans will see jesus and understand just how dangerous and awful these years of rhetoric and policy have been, not just for republicans who lost everything but for america. i have long sense lost the idea they will find religion. going into a midterm, they are all in for trump. they are all in for trumpism. and i expect them to go even further than they already have on that day in in service of retaining his voters. >> you have public hearings coming up, the possibility of more revelations with the national archives, documents perhaps being released.

the next few weeks or months will be fascinating here. thanks for being with us. nice to see you >> thanks, john. we are on verdict watch in the case of former minnesota police officer kim potter. what the jury asked the judge that may indicate where this is headed. and reports that the nhl will not participate in the 2022 winter olympics in beijing. details on the league's big decision. (vo) for fourteen years, subaru and our retailers have been sharing the love with those who need it most. now subaru is the largest automotive donor to make-a-wish and meals on wheels. and the largest corporate donor to the aspca and national park foundation. get a new subaru during the share the love event and

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the jury in the manslaughter trial of kimberly potter is asking the judge what would happen if the consensus can't be reached? potter is the former minneapolis police officer who mistook her gun for a taser before shooting and killing daunte wright, 20-year-old black man, back in april. with that question, a new question. could this be headed to a hung jury. joey jackson and former new york city prosecutor paul callum.

joey, based on that question, does it look like there could be a hung jury? >> erica, good morning to you. good morning, paul. we should caution -- and the answer is yes, right. it looks like they are not able to reach consensus. we should caution that there are oftentimes, oftentimes where jurors come in to a courtroom, and they'll indicate to the judge they're having a problem. so this is not something that is unusual, i should add. and following that, there are oftentimes where jurors then do reach a conclusion. so when you ever have -- it brings the question the process. whenever you have 12 individuals from separate backgrounds, separate perspectives, having different points of view, that have to evaluate and analyze evidence, there's going to be disagreements, disputes, some discord. it doesn't mean they're not going to get there, they are just having some issues getting there now. as a result, the judge had to give them guidance, go back, do

the best you can, change your views if you think you can. it's not over yet is my answer. >> paul, in terms of analyzing the evidence, the jury also asked if they could have the zip ties removed from the weapon, and the evidence box that they can hold onto that handgun. this is something the prosecution tried to drill down on, the differences between a gun and a taser, paul. >> this happens quite frequently in murder cases and manslaughter cases involving firearms. the jury often wants to see the weapon and actually touch the weapon. and i think in this case it's particularly important. the whole case boils down to whether officer potter at the time should have clearly known the difference between holding her service pistol as opposed to the taser. that this is something you can feel in the weight of the weapon. you can see the difference in color. and i think the jurors, they don't want to be looking at a box with a zip tie on it with a

gun in it. they want to see the gun, hold the gun to see how officer potter felt at the scene. >> as we look at the trial of ghislaine maxwell, the jury is deliberating there as well, also asking some significant questions. paul incident to start with you on this one. they asked for transcripts from some of the alleged victims, but not all of them. three out of four. and that really stood out to you. why? >> well, it stood out to me because the three victims they asked for transcripts on told more complex stories. their entire involvement with maxwell was more complex over an extended period of time. the final fourth victim they asked no questions about was a relatively simple encounter between maxwell and her that was testified about. so i think it kind of looks like they are accepting the testimony of one victim but not the other

three.

they also asked for the fbi notes from 2007. one of the use accusers, there were inconsistencies. why? because the defense happened to point it out. you were interviewed in 2017. you didn't mention any of the things you're telling the jury now. that also goes to the parsing of the specific testimony of these accusers and whether it moves the ball towards a conviction. were their stories truthful,

their memories accurate, could they be relied upon to ultimately get the facts right from something that happened so long ago. >> paul, as a former prosecutor there's been a lot of talk about how difficult this case is frankly for the prosecution. do you agree with that? >> yes, i do. it is an extraordinarily difficult case. it's difficult because you're talking about things that happened sometimes more than 20 years ago. and you're trying to recreate that for the jury and get them to rely on it. very, very tough for prosecutors to do that. they do it of course by calling an alleged victim and then trying to corroborate her testimony by testimony that, for instance, she told boyfriends that this had happened 20 years ago. so there is some corroboration of the claim. but, you know, if you're sitting in a jury room trying to decide whether someone is going to go to jail for 70 years, you want to be certain about the reliability of the testimony. and that's what the jury is struggling with. you know, the judge gave 80

pages of instructions to this jury. that's how complex this case is. so they're struggling with a lot of facts. >> paul, joey, appreciate you both. if i don't see you, happy holidays. released moments ago, obamacare seeing record enrollment numbers. why are some republican lawmakers still trying to throw up road blocks? >> wherever you decide to go, whoever you decide to celebrate with, what you can do to keep you and your loved ones healthy this christmas. feel stuck with student loan debt? move to sofi and feel what it's like to get your money right. ♪ ♪ move your student loan debt to sofi— you could save with low rates and no fees. earn a $1,000 bonus when you refi— and get your money right.

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this just in to cnn. another blockbuster year shaping up for obamacare. the record number of americans who enrolled in 2021 looks to carry over into next year. gabe cohen in washington with the details you are seeing first on cnn. gabe, what have you learned? >> reporter: well, john, cnn is getting the first look at the aca enrollment numbers. they show a record number of people have signed up for next year. and the deadline hasn't even hit yet. it reflects the massive federal investment that the federal government has made to drive down health care costs and to expand eligibility. >> i'm just waiting for january 1st. >> reporter: sarah morely spent two years without insurance, but she just enrolled in an affordable care act health plan after getting an $8,000 hospital bill she's paying out of pocket. >> it became a necessity. >> reporter: what did you think of the prices? >> i was relieved and shocked

actually. >> reporter: aca enrollment has hit a historic high for 2022 with 13.6 million americans already signed up for coverage. and the deadline is not until january 15th. since president biden took office, 4.6 million people have gained health insurance. why do you think we're seeing record enrollment? >> it is likely the expanded subsidies in the covid relief package. >> the motion is adopted. >> reporter: the american rescue plan pumped billions of subsidies into the aca marketplace, lowering premiums for 90% of consumers and expanding access to 3.6 uninsured people, many of them middleclass. 2.8 million americans signed up during a special enrollment period earlier this year. >> it is quite plausible they could explain most or all of what we're seeing. >> reporter: the president

extended and rein stated millions of dollars of funding slashed for advertisements. >> new law, lower prices. more people qualify. >> reporter: as well as navigators. >> we've been busy. >> reporter: jodie's team connects people with coverage in florida. >> probably one of the most contributing factors has got to be we're in a pandemic. >> reporter: a recent poll from the kaiser family foundation shows public support for obamacare is at an all-time high. 58% from a favorable opinion, compared to 43% when president trump was elected. >> it shows the aca gained popularity over time. >> reporter: republican state leaders are still throwing up road blocks, like restricting the work of navigators. several states have high enrollment numbers. florida leans the nation in aca enrollment. but jodie ray says they are actively keeping navigators out of buildings where people access government services. >> well, that's a lot of

uninsured people that we could potentially provide assistance to, that with he cannot. >> reporter: i reached out to florida state health department several times but didn't hear back. roughly 27 million americans are still uninsured. 64% of them are eligible for coverage assistance. the build back better bill would extend the subsidies and expansions from the american rescue plan through 2025. if the bill doesn't pass, those benefits could expire by the end of next year. >> in 2022, people will find out their premium payments are going to double. the announcements will go out right before the midterm elections. >> reporter: and the president's staff also sent us a statement really touting enrollment numbers and calling build back better the most consequential expansion of affordable health care since the affordable care act. the president says we will press forward, work to cut health care costs and deliver great peace of

mind to american families in the new year. john. >> when it comes to health care, manchin and biden are in full agreement right now. we'll see what happens as we go forward. gabe cohen breaking the news here on "new day". thank you very much. act out of line, and you will have to wait in line. that new message from the faa for unruly passengers. up next, 810,000 american lives have now been lost to covid. many of them parents. a number of them single parents. just ahead, we'll speak with one of the 167,000 children now orphaned by covid. ♪“i got you babe” by etta james♪ ♪ get groceries, gifts, & more fast and easy. so last minute guests are the only thing you'll be waiting on. ♪ joy. fully. ♪

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the death toll in this country from coronavirus tops 810,000. many of the lives lost were parents. a number of them unvaccinated. as a result, roughly 167,000 children are now orphans. cnn has partnered with "people" magazine to bring you the heartbreaking stories of just how some of those left behind, many of them just teenagers themselves are now stepping into. role as parents for the younger siblings. joining me now is elian and janine who is raising her

sister's fourth children after both parents died within weeks of each other. it's good to have both of you with us this morning. as i said to you both, we chatted briefly in the break. it is never easy to talk about this, especially when it's so new and raw. we appreciate you joining us this morning to keep the memories alive. elian, you lost your dad a couple of years ago from liver failure. now here you are, you're 18 years old, helping your grandmother taking care of younger siblings, managing a busy school schedule, star football player, working part-time. how are you holding up and juggling all of that? >> i'm good. things have cooled down. it's just not the same anymore. >> yeah. your mom, i know, was not vaccinated. to see her in the hospital you needed to be vaccinated. so you got your second shot the day before she died. so important that you had that

moment with your mom. did you realize then that may be the last time that you two were together? >> yeah. i kind of realized that was probably the last day i would get to see her. >> how hard was that for you? >> it was hard. this could be the last time i see my mom and what condition she was in. it was kind of hard that day. it was probably one of the hardest days of my life. >> yeah. i would imagine. and i'm sure at the time, too, hard for you. and yet you're trying to be strong for your younger siblings in that moment. >> yeah. . >> a little you said, you got your second shot just before you saw your mom on that day. your mom had some concerns about being vaccinated. when you look back on that, were there conversations that you had with your mom about vaccines?

>> she was just really -- she really didn't want to get it. i'm not really sure why. i know i had to get it to go see her, so that's what i did. >> are you glad that you ended up getting those shots? >> yeah. yes. >> janine, your sister, misty, her husband kevin, died within two weeks of each other. they have four children who they left behind who are now in your care. for all of you, this was a lot, and it happened really, really quickly. you were an empty nester. and now you have fourteens and tweens again. how are you all holding up? >> we're getting there. my mother came to stay for a while, so we had a very full house. but another adult to talk to them or help care for them for a while. they're holding up really well.

obviously they, you know, miss their parents terribly. i get at least one text a day from one of them saying, you know, i miss my mom or, you know, i miss mom and dad. it's still raw. holidays might be a little rough. yesterday was one of the kid's birthdays. we are starting to go through birthdays without parents, and christmas without parents. but they're getting there. they're settling in and they're in school. they're starting to form new friendships here. >> one day at a time, right? >> right. >> we know kids are resilient, but as you point out was a lot. i know misty was diabetic. so underlying conditions there. misty and kevin were not vaccinated. had you guys ever discussed that? >> i mentioned it to misty, but

we really didn't have any deep conversations. i understand from kevin's family that, you know, he just had seen so much misinformation, other types of information online they are, you know, didn't think it was a good idea to get it. and he was super healthy. he was not -- there was no underlying condition. he was one of the people you would think, oh, they'll get it, they will be okay. which just proves that anybody could pass from this. >> kevin's brother mike told people he had pleaded with his brother to get vaccinated before he got sick. he was skeptical, as you mentioned. in the hospital he actually asked for the shot. what is it like when you hear that? >> i was -- i guess i was a little dumbfounded that really, now? now is the time you think about getting the shot? i'm glad there was a turnaround

to it, but it just -- it seemed too little too late, i guess. and i guess we all have those moments in our life. but it was kind of heartbreaking that at the last minute he wanted to live. he had four kids. he had five kids. so yeah. >> speaking out now, you are talking to us for a reason. you want us obviously to know about your sister and your brother-in-law. but you're also hoping that, you know, maybe hearing their story could inspire some other folks. what is it specifically you hope people take from your family's story, janine? >> people went on facebook, a lot of people were wonderful. they were very compassionate and very nice. but there was a lot of people who were just vile and hateful.

and the kids are reading this. things like they deserved it. some horrible things. and i think we all need to take a moment to be more caring and compassionate to each other. and if covid has taught us nothing else, it's that all of us have been affected by this and maybe it's time to reach out and be a little nicer and more compassionate towards people and stop with the hateful words all the time on the internet. it's gotten to a point where it's just -- people are getting off social media, people have stopped tuning in to things. people just need to be nicer. >> yeah. i will wholeheartedly second that. grace, kindness goes a long way. elian, i mentioned you are a football player, star left tackle. and i know you have an important

tradition you had started this year before each game. it's a really beautiful tribute. do you mind sharing that with us? >> yeah. i would write r.i.p. mom and r.i.p. dad and before every play, i would look at my arms and play harder for them. >> i know you said your mom was really strong and really tough. can you feel her looking out for you? >> yeah. once i look at my arm, that's when i know my mom is there watching over me. >> thank you both for being here this morning. happy holidays. i know it's a tough one. but we really appreciate it. thank you. >> thank you. you can read more about these stories and others in the new issue of "people" on news stands right now. the uk is reducing its covid-19 isolation period from 10 to 7 days. so, could the u.s. soon follow

suit? and the nba commissioner saying we're going to have to learn to live with covid. why he is determined to keep the season on track. ♪ ♪ hey tristan! ♪ ♪ hey lexus... play holiday music! ♪ ♪ we've been waiting all year to come together... have a happy and safe holiday season from lexus. it's the last minute gift sale. get up to 40% off storewide. ( ♪ )

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so really big development watching here in the united states. the united kingdom is cutting its coronavirus isolation period from 10 to 7 days amid record levels of cases caused by the omicron variant. it may allow thousands of people to see their families for christmas. cnn has reporters covering all around the world. >> reporter: in london, here in the uk, prime minister boris johnson said people can go ahead with their christmas plans but stress that the situation remains finely balanced, urging people to adhere to the current guidance in place. the uk continues to see rising cases. on tuesday, more than 90,000 new

cases confirmed. and while some health experts have called for tougher restrictions to be brought into force, prime minister said there isn't enough evidence at this stage to support that. >> reporter: in rome, here in europe we are seeing a number of new restrictions in countries seeing a vast increase in the number of positive cases. now, we don't know if all of these are being driven by the omicron variant or if it's still the delta variant. we're seeing the threat of lockdowns in germany and portugal after the holidays. and here in italy, as of tomorrow, people will not wear face masks indoors. they will be required to wear them outdoors as well. >> reporter: in tokyo, china is pushing ahead with the winter olympics amid the threat of omicron. so far the country has reported several omicron cases. with the games less than 50 days

away, china is doubling down on zero covid strategy. cities are locking down and mass testing residents in response to a handful of new cases. olympic participants will be in a strict bubble and tested daily. if they are not vaccinated they will have to quarantine for 21 days in beijing. it would be a propaganda win for its handling of covid-19. >> adam silver says he has no plans to halt the season even as we see a current surge. andy scholes has this morning's "bleacher report". >> reporter: good morning, erica. nba commissioner said 90% on vaccinated with 65% of them receiving their booster shot. in an interview with espn silver said he doesn't see a reason why the nba should pause their season. >> we've of course looked at all the options. but frankly, we're having

trouble coming up with what the logic would be behind pausing right now. as we look through these cases, literally ripping through the country right now. this virus will not be eradicated. and we're going to have to learn to live with it. >> reporter: the nfl moved to a model of testing vaccinated individuals only if they show symptoms. and silver said that is something the nba is looking at, but they are not ready to make that change yet. now, the nhl and the players association have reportedly agreed to pull out of the upcoming winter olympics in beijing. they had originally planned on allowing them to go as per the collective bargaining agreement. but they put in a provision they could pull the players if the nhl season was materially impacted by covid. so far 50 games has been postponed. they are now likely use the time

to make up time for games. the move comes after the nhl announced a shutdown of all league operations starting today until sunday to try to curb the recent surge we have seen in the league. . >> sports in the age of covid. andy, appreciate it. thank you. "new day" continues right now. ♪ welcome to our viewers in the united states and all around the world. it is wednesday, december 22nd. i'm john berman. brianna is off. erica hill joins me all week. what a week. >> yeah. it's quite a holiday week, isn't it? >> president biden telling americans who are vaccinated and boosted, they can gather safely with family and friends over these holidays as they normally would. speaking to the nation, the presiden