In a highest daily count since the pandemic began, the UK has reported 78,610 Covid cases in the last 24 hours. The previous highest daily spike was on January 8 this year, when 68,053 cases were recorded.
Wednesday’s count is also higher than last week, when on December 8, the total coronavirus cases reported were 78,610.
The UK has a total population of around 67 million, reports Reuters, of which more than 11 million people have now tested positive for the disease. Of these 146,791 patients have died, 9,617,941 have been discharged and the active cases stand at 1,245,554.
After the Omicron variant was first detected on November 27 in the UK and following a warning of a “tidal wave” of infections, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has imposed strict restrictions.
Speaking at a news conference on the backdrop of rapidly spreading Omicron variant, the British prime minister said the doubling rate of the variant in some regions is now down to less than two days.
“I’m afraid we’re also seeing the inevitable increase in hospitalizations up by 10 per cent nationally week on week and up by almost a third in London,” he added.
“But we are also seeing signs of hope,” said Johnson, referring to people’s response to an emergency omicron appeal launched on Sunday.
“I want to say that each and every one of you who rolls up your sleeve to get jabbed is helping this national effort, and I want to thank everyone who has come forward,” he added
