UK records highest daily Covid cases since pandemic began
The UK has recorded 78,610 confirmed new Covid cases, the highest number since the pandemic started.
It smashed the previous high – January 8 this year which saw 68,053 cases – by over 10,000.
And it is an alarming increase of almost 20,000 from just a day ago, when 59,610 positive tests were recorded.
Figures also showed there were 165 deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive test.
It total, 24,732,162 people have now received a vaccine booster or a third dose, while 51,332,920 have received at least a first dose.
Boris Johnson is due to give a press conference at 5pm today to give an update on the pandemic.
It comes after he addressed the nation in a televised address on Sunday warning of an approaching ‘tidal wave’ of cases driven by the new Omicron variant, which is quickly displacing Delta.
UK Health Security Agency chief executive Dr Jenny Harries warned Omicron is ‘probably the most significant threat we’ve had since the start of the pandemic’ and said to expect a ‘staggering’ number of cases in the next few days.
The doubling rate is now under two days in most regions, she said.
She told MPs on the Transport Committee that the ‘real potential risk’ is whether ‘cases turn into severe disease, hospitalisations and deaths’, but added that it is ‘too early’ to be clear on that.
Sage member Professor Graham Medley said this morning Covid hospital admissions could reach 2,000 a day.
Last night, MPs voted through new measures to try and slow the spread, including the controversial ‘Covid passes’ which will see people required to show evidence of vaccination or a negative test to enter nightclubs and large events.
‘Plan B’ passed the Commons, but the prime minister suffered a big rebellion with almost 100 Tory MPs voting against the Covid pass element.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid refused to rule out the prospect of fresh measures over the coming weeks but insisted the steps currently in place ‘are the right ones’.
Asked whether more guidance would be issued – rather than legislation – he told reporters at The Gordon Hospital in Westminster: ‘We keep the whole situation under review. It is fast-moving, I think people understand that.
‘The case numbers are still sadly rising rapidly, we have been very open about how quickly this new variant spreads, we have seen it double in terms of infections every two to three days across the country.
‘In London, now, for example, it is our understanding that it is 60% of all cases already.’
Asked at the vaccination centre whether restrictions could be ruled out before the new year, Mr Javid said: ‘We have to observe the situation and learn more about this all the time.
‘We are buying time to assess this virus and build our defences.’
Pressed on whether people should prepare for new restrictions in the new year, Mr Javid replied: ‘You should be preparing yourselves to get boosted.’
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