Early signs suggest the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the current Delta strain, UK official sources said.
But the prime minister’s official spokesman added it was still too early to draw conclusions. Any impact caused by Omicron would also depend on whether it caused severe illness.
There are currently 336 cases of Omicron in the UK, figures show.
Earlier, Wales’ health minister said they are expecting a significant wave of Omicron that will peak in January.
Scientists believe Omicron could spread more easily than Delta, and could out-compete Delta to become the dominant variant in the UK.
But much is still unknown, and it could still take weeks to understand how severe illness from the variant is and what it means for the effectiveness of vaccines.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned in a new press statements about the Covid-19 surge in Europe.
“We express our worries about the spread of Covid-19 in Europe as the continent battles a fresh wave of infections.”
Regional director Dr Hans Kluge further said that 500,000 more deaths could be recorded by March unless urgent action is taken.
The WHO official also said an increase in mask wearing could immediately help.
The warning comes as several nations report record-high infection rates and introduce full and partial lockdowns.
Kluge said factors like winter, insufficient vaccine coverage were behind the spread.
He called for increased vaccine uptake. He also called for the implementation of basic public health measures and new medical treatments to help fight the rise.
Meanwhile, protesters took into streets in several European cities against the new restrictions and COVID-19 passes mandatory in many European countries.
