Omicron Cases in UK Sees A Steep Rise

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported another 12,133 Omicron cases,  taking the total number of Omicron cases in the country to 37,101. Meanwhile, according to the Xinhua news agency, the UK recorded 82,886 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, increasing the overall number of coronavirus cases in the country to 11,361,387.

The number of confirmed cases has dropped from 90,418 on Saturday. Over the weekend, the cases are often lower. On Friday, the UK recorded a new high of 93,045 confirmed cases.  Another 45 coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the country. The overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in the UK has now reached 147,218 people, with 7,611 Covid-19 victims still hospitalised.

The latest figures came as British Health Secretary Sajid Javid stated that the new variant is spreading very quickly even faster than the figures indicate. According to him, the "real number of infections will be significantly higher than case data imply" since not everyone will take a test and there will be a wait for patients to receive their test results.

Meanwhile, the British government's advising scientists have warned that more limitations would be required "within days" to prevent hospitals from being overrun by Omicron. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in 89 countries, and the number of cases is doubling every 1.5 to three days in places with community transmission. According to the most recent numbers, more than 89% of people aged 12 and older in the United Kingdom have gotten their first dose of vaccination, and more than 81% have received both doses.