For the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the United Kingdom has reported more than 100,000 daily COVID cases. According to the most recent numbers, there are currently over 8,000 individuals in hospitals, with 849 on ventilators. In the last 24-hours, 106,122 cases were reported.
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This has now become a new record since the previous peak of 93,045 on 17 December. Further, a total of 140 coronavirus related deaths have also been reported. In comparison, 90,629 cases and 172 deaths were reported on Tuesday.
Reaching heights
Last Wednesday, 78,610 Covid cases were reported, the highest number since the beginning of the pandemic, along with 165 deaths. The number is a cause of worry as per the NHS England's chief executive. On 18 December, 813 Covid patients were admitted to the hospital and the recent data states that the figure has been increased by ten times now.
In the last 24 hours, the UK has recorded 13,581 new Omicron cases, bringing the total to 74,089. The daily figure is lower than Tuesday's 15,363 cases. Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, has announced additional measures to combat the spread of Omicron. Drakeford has also criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government for being paralysed for not being able to act.
Milder yet concerning
According to sources, government experts are expected to find that the Omicron strain is milder than Delta for most people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not yet confirmed this and is expected to release its latest coronavirus strain study on Thursday. However, scientists remain concerned about the variant, fearing that its high transmissibility could overwhelm the NHS. According to a representative for the UKHSA,
We are reviewing all analyses continuously to help inform the pandemic response, which includes assessing the severity of Omicron.
In the UK, more than 30.8 million booster and third doses have been distributed, with 6.1 million supplied in the last week. According to recent numbers, a total of 968,665 booster and third doses of COVID-19 vaccination were delivered in the UK on Tuesday. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that vulnerable children aged five to eleven be administered a new paediatric version of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with an estimated 330,000 youngsters eligible.
