Covid infection rates have reached record levels in the UK this week as cases of the new highly-transmissible Omicron variant soar.
On Wednesday, a new record was set for the daily number of coronavirus cases, as all four UK nations reported their figures for the first time since Christmas Eve.
The government said that a further 183,037 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases had been recorded in the UK as of 9am on Wednesday.
The total includes reported figures for Northern Ireland covering a five-day period.
But the 138,287 figure for England was also the highest recorded.
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The government data shows that 914,723 people had a confirmed positive test result in the UK between December 23 and December 29 - an increase of 41.4 per cent compared to the previous seven days.
You can use our interactive map below to find out the number of Covid cases confirmed in your area in the most recent week.
The map shows the number of people with a lab-confirmed positive test result by neighbourhood. However, numbers between zero and two are grouped to protect individuals.
Enter your postcode to see the number of cases where you live.
New studies have suggested catching Omicron is less likely to result in severe symptoms and hospital admission than earlier Covid strains like Delta.
But Professor Neil Ferguson, from the Imperial College London team behind one of the studies, warned Omicron’s severity may be offset by the “reduced efficacy” of vaccines to stop it being transmitted.
New research from Imperial College London has indicated that people with PCR-confirmed Omicron are 15-20% less likely to need admission to hospital, and 40-45% less likely to require a stay of one night or more.
A total of 10,462 people were in hospital in England with Covid-19 as of 8am on December 29, according to figures from NHS England.
This is up 48% from a week earlier and is the highest number since March 1.
During the second wave of coronavirus, the number peaked at 34,336 on January 18.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson continues to drive forward the Covid-19 vaccination programme, saying he “cannot stress too much” how important a booster shot is.
Mr Johnson said 2.4 million eligible double-jabbed people are yet to take up the offer of a booster.
He added: “I’m sorry to say this but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who are not boosted.
“I’ve talked to doctors who say the numbers are running up to 90% of people in intensive care who are not boosted.”
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