Covid deaths reach 171, and cases rise to more than 48,000 in one day, as fears grow of proliferation of new Omicron variant
DAILY Covid deaths have reached 171 as fears grow over the spread of the new Omicron variant.
The number of new cases is now 48,000, which means that more than 10 million have tested positive overall.
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The death toll was 11 percent higher than last Wednesday, when 149 were recorded.
A total of 144,969 people have now died within 28 days of a positive Covid test result in the UK.
It comes as the dreaded Omicron variant spreads across the UK, with the number of cases at 32 now.
Hospitals have fewer virus patients than this time last week – 7,634, down from 7,911 – but the number has risen since Monday.
Omicron cases have now been identified in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West.
The variant appears to be more transmissible, while testing continues to see if it causes more serious illness or if vaccines are less effective against it.
“It is very likely that we will find more cases in the coming days that we see in other countries globally,” said Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Safety Agency.
Deputy Chief Physician Jonathan Van-Tam has described the tribe as the “new boy on the block”, adding that researchers from around the world have become concerned.
He told a briefing in Downing Street: “It has always been the case that at some point we get a variant that gives us increased concern.
“We’re in the moment with Omicron.”
Officials are now desperately trying to stop the spread, and the British are being urged to “be on guard” to save Christmas.
Ministers have promised to stay on the “front foot” in the fight against the super-proliferation variant and promised to give millions of Britons their Covid booster jab early.
Health Minister Sajid Javid said the Omicron variant “may have given the virus extra legs” in the race against vaccines, but could be defeated.
He also insisted that new restrictions, including mask wear, and travel edge bars will be removed if the load turns out to be a false alarm.
Government researchers have confirmed that a further 13 million over the age of 18 will be eligible for a third shot of the vaccine before the end of the year.
Children aged 12 to 15 will also be offered a second dose of the vaccine in an effort to boost the country’s immunity to the troubled new strain.
Experts hope cutting the distance between the second and third doses of jab from six to three months will allow the UK to get ahead of the new Covid variant.
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