The UK’s daily COVID infections have passed 100,000 for the first time amid Omicron spread.
The UK registered a record-breaking 106,122 new COVID-19 infections in 24 hours ahead of the holidays.
The country reported more than 100,000 daily infections for the first time.
Infections have risen nearly 60% in the past week compared to the week before, UK authorities said.
England’s chief medical officer had warned that the highly transmissible Omicron variant was likely to bring record-breaking infection numbers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far refused to impose new curbs aimed at reducing transmission, but said the situation was being followed “hour by hour”.
The Welsh government, meanwhile, said that from December 26 nightclubs will have to close. Groups would also need to be six people on public premises. People will have to leave two-metre social distancing in offices and all public premises.
A maximum of 30 people can attend indoor events and a maximum of 50 people at outdoor events.
The UK has pushed ahead with its booster campaign, with 53% of the population aged twelve and older already receiving one.
The UK’s government has raised the coronavirus alert from 3 to 4, the first change since June.
Chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, recommended the move due to “rapidly” rising numbers of cases.
