Covid app sends record number of pings
The NHS Covid app has sent a record number of contact-tracing alerts, informing people of their exposure to someone who has tested positive for the virus.
A total of 698,646 "pings" were sent to people in England and Wales between 16 December and 22 December.
That is nearly 8,000 more than the previous record of 690,711 sent during a seven-day period in July.
Data for the Christmas period is not yet available.
People "pinged" by the app with a "close contact" alert are advised to take daily Covid tests - or self-isolate if they are unvaccinated and over 18 - in order to reduce the likelihood of Covid transmission, but there is no legal requirement for them to do so.
During the summer, the app caused concern when large numbers of workers in various industries received pings, leaving them temporarily unable to do their jobs while they isolated many business listings.
A poll conducted at the time suggested a third of 18-34-year-olds had deleted the app, with another third planning to do so.
On Twitter, some users have recently complained of receiving an alert more than a week after exposure to someone with Covid, reducing the usefulness of the service.
The UK Health Security Agency has not responded to a BBC request for comment on this point.
But a spokesperson said: "The NHS Covid-19 app has prevented thousands of cases and is a vital tool to help protect against the spread of Covid-19 by alerting people when they may have been in contact with a confirmed case."
"The app is an essential part of the pandemic response... we encourage everyone to continue using it as another tool to help keep us all safe."
Spike in cases
The NHS app also allows people to report the results of a Covid test business listings.
Reports of positive test results also reached a new high - 243,406 across England and Wales during the same seven-day period ending on 22 December.
Not everyone who receives a positive result uses the app or will necessarily upload their result.
Official data shows that record numbers of positive cases have been recorded across the UK during recent days, with 189,213 added on 30 December alone free business listings.
Separate contact-tracing apps are used in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Scotland data also suggests a record number of contact notifications were sent via the Protect Scotland app during the period.
The BBC has also contacted the Department of Health in Northern Ireland for comment.
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2022 gallavich fandom faves 🤘🏼🖤
at the end of the year, i tasked a ton of us with picking some favorite creations from this year (& beyond!) & BOY DID Y'ALL DELIVER! here's what's sticking with us as we begin another fabulous year of making stuff about ian & mickey:
fics we're looking forward to re-reading 📚:
Sweetpea & The Switch-Up by @whatthebodygraspsnot
These Foolish Games by @suzy-queued
Dancing after Death by @squidyyy23
That's a Wrap by @crossmydna
OnlyFans series by @gallavichgeek
Intro to Quantum Dating by @spoonfulstar
M8TE by @gallawitchxx
Change Like Shifting Shadows by @thisdivorce
Not so Secret Santa by @sweetbee78
Your Question Has Been Received by @celestialmickey
Since We're Alone by @buffymilkovich & @lethargicmick
Catch a Spark, Start a Flame by @shannee10 and @o-on
Proud (Outro) by @twinklyylights
Meet the Neighbours series by @arrowflier
Ian Gallagher And All Of His Mistakes by toraten
Like Real People Do, Cooperative Gameplay & Things Beyond Mistake by grayola
The Captain of My Soul by lilbatfacedgirl
Hooking Up With Feelings by @peppermintkatie
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Ian Gallagher, Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace & You Can Bite Me by @goodkwuestion
None The Wiser by @loftec
Restoration by @palepinkgoat
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art we can't stop thinking about 🎨:
Roadtrip Boys, Hickey Mickey, Shibari Ian & “More of a grape guy, huh…” (Sweetpea) by @heymrspatel
You're Under My Skin, Man, “Show Me What You’ve Got Tough Guy ;)”, & Sweetpea by @milkovski
You're Under My Skin Shirt, Man by @gallawitchxx
Ask Box Christmas Cards by @deathclassic
Westside Mornings by @mikhailoisbaby
Kinktober Series by @suzy-queued
Commissions by @mariemarion
Sweethearts by @psychicskulldamage
WARM GLOWING WARMING GLOW by @loftec
Priest Ian, Rosary Hands & Mornin' Sleepyhead by @mishervellous
All the Mickeys by @spoonfulstar
1 year Anniversary Collection by @galladrabbles
Gallavich Kinktober 2022 by @darthvaders-wife
Mirror Selfie by @steorie
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until next year! xx
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Mr Beast
YouTube rich list MrBeast was the highest-paid star of 2021
Jimmy Donaldson, the 23-year-old American better known as MrBeast, was YouTube's highest-earning content creator in 2021, according to Forbes.
His elaborate stunts have generated more than 10 billion views on the platform and earned him $54m (£39m).
He has overtaken 10-year-old toy reviewer Ryan Kaji, who has topped the annual list for the past two years.
Together, the 10 best-paid YouTubers made a combined $300m (£218m) in 2021, the US magazine estimated.
Jake Paul is in second place, his first appearance in the top 10 since 2018, and his brother Logan also returns after being absent since 2017.
Minecraft player Nathan Graham, known as Unspeakable, makes the list for the first time in fifth place.
Jake Paul's high-profile boxing fights have earned him a spot back on the list
YouTube trends expert Chris Stokel-Walker said this year's list is interesting because it shows "how stale" YouTube has become. "It strikes me how white and male this whole list is," he said.
"If you take any of the names and look at previous years' lists, you'll probably find them on there as well, just in a different order."
Boom time
During the pandemic, lots of traditional entertainment media had a difficult time adjusting. Movies were delayed, soap opera schedules were altered and video game releases were postponed.
For YouTube, however, it was a time of boom.
Research suggests that in 2021, the platform had 2.3 billion users worldwide. YouTube says one billion hours of video content is consumed on the platform every day many business listings.
Ryan Kaji ranked in seventh position this year
Stokel-Walker said: "YouTube was developed as something that would shake up the media industry and get rid of gatekeepers. It was going to democratize how our society and entertainment industry look.
"This list suggests that it's become more like TV than it would prefer to be. The arrival of money on the platform means the content is very high stakes - and we see this in what MrBeast is making.
"It's not really similar to anything else on YouTube. It's more like big-budget TV."
Stokel-Walker suggested the high production values of YouTube today are creating a barrier to entry, meaning you need to "pay to play and be successful".
Seven-year-old Nastya is the only female in the top 10
The top earners as identified by Forbes are not necessarily those with the most views, but rather those who have been able to successfully earn money through brand partnerships, sponsorship deals, and merchandise sales.
Although it's estimated that two-thirds of YouTube content is not in the English language, it seems that English-speaking creators are most able to financially capitalize on their popularity.
YouTube, like many other modern media platforms, is dealing with issues of misinformation and harmful content - however, this doesn't seem to have affected its creators' abilities to attract advertisers and sponsors to their channels.
Here is the full top 10.
10. Preston Assessment
Preston Arsement grew his community largely thanks to videos centered around Minecraft, although he runs several channels on the website.
A regular on this list, he earned an estimated $16m (£11m) in 2021 - down a little from the year before, when he placed sixth business listings.
9. Logan Paul
The controversial boxer and vlogger was last in the top 10 in 2017. He earned $18m (£13m) in 2021.
8. Dude Perfect
Comedy pranksters Dude Perfect was number three on the list in 2020. They made $20m (£14m) last year.
7. Ryan Kaji
The world's most famous toy reviewer has dropped from the top of the tree to number seven.
In 2021, his blend of toy reviews, educational videos, and family vlogs helped him earn $27m (£19m).
6. Nastya
The seven-year-old Russian has nearly 90 million subscribers on YouTube.
She started as a toy unboxing but now her vlogs and music videos are growing in popularity and her earnings have risen to $28m (£20m) in 2021.
5. Unspeakable
A new entry, the Minecraft player has been uploading to YouTube for a decade.
He sold the rights to his back catalog to the business Spotter last year, which contributed to his earnings of $28.5m (£20m).
4. Rhett and Link
A staple of the YouTube highest-earning list, the hosts of geek chat show Good Mythical Morning earned $30m (£22m) in 2021.
3. Markiplier
Another regular gaming creator, Markiplier has used his business acumen to make a successful brand of merchandise, earning $38m (£27m) last year.
2. Jake Paul
By branching out into boxing, Jake Paul has found himself back in the top 10. His high-profile fights against UFC stars helped him earn $45m (£32m) in 2021.
It's some turnaround for the creator who was criticized alongside his bother for some of their vlogs in 2017, which many found to be in poor taste.
With more boxing plans in the pipeline for 2022, it would be no surprise to see him keep his place among YouTube's elite on next year's list free business listings.
1. MrBeast
YouTube's top earner is a creator who uses stunts and pranks to delight his audience.
Last year, he recreated elements of Netflix hit Squid Game on his channel, played hide and seeks in an 80,000-seater stadium, and was buried underground.
His 10 billion views, alongside the MrBeast burger franchise, meant Jimmy Donaldson almost doubled his income in 2021 after ranking second on this list the previous year.
More on this story
·The people using YouTube to fund a French chateau
·Paul knocks out Woodley for fifth win
·The kids making up to $1m a year on YouTube
·YouTube's top earners: Eight-year-old tops list
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