The UK's Covid R rate is as high as 1.5 in a huge weekly jump - as cases continue to soar across the country.
An R number between 1.2 and 1.5 means that for every 10 people infected, they will on average infect between 12 and 15 other people.
It is the first update to the R number since Deceber 23, following a break for Christmas, when the range was 1.0 to 1.2. The daily growth of infections is estimated at between 3% and 6%.
It comes as the Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said five measures should come into force to slow the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
In a briefing today, Independent Sage said they should be brought in to last at least until the end of February.
These measures include working from home where possible, providing CO2 monitors and ensuring adequate ventilation in all classrooms, revising the list of symptoms of Covid-19 to reflect those associated with Omicron, requiring people to wear high-quality masks (FFP2 minimum) in indoor public spaces and providing them for free, and to provide adequate sick pay for those unwell with Covid.
The group of about 30 scientists work together to provide independent scientific advice on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Their recommendations comes as England has reported more than three million Covid cases since December 1 - with more than one million logged just last week alone.
The independent scientists are warning that these alarming figures are "almost certainly an underestimate" and if measures were brought in last month it could have helped avert the current NHS crisis.
Furthermore, ONS data published this week has revealed that an estimated 1.3million people in the UK - or two per cent of the population - are experiencing long Covid as of December 6.
Other worrying figures have also found that hospitalisations in children under 5 have trebled since the start of December.
Today's announcement from Sage comes as Boris Johnson also confirmed that no further lockdown restrictions would be introduced, but Plan B measures would remain in place for a further three weeks.
After Omicron emerged in South Africa last November, experts have quickly found that symptoms of this high transmissible Covid variant is different from what the world is used to.
The three main symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, new or persistent cough, loss/change to sense of smell or taste, according to the NHS. However, Omicron symptoms have been presenting differently.
Symptoms of Omicron have been widely reported as "mild" and similar to a common cold. While many of the symptoms are found to effect your nose, throat and head, two new signs connected to the new variant have emerged. Here's what you need to know.
One of the signs being reported at the beginning stage of the Omicron Covid variant is nausea, according to Professor Tim Spector of the ZOE Covid study.
A doctor from India, Dr Sanket Jain, also said his patients are experiencing "loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting," with PCR tests revealing they are Covid positive.
Another unusual but common Omicron symptom noted in the early stages of infection is lower back pain, as revealed by data from the UK, US and South Africa. Other muscle aches have also been reported alongside the lower back pain.
