UK reports record 78,610 Covid infections as Omicron surges with quarter of cases in London

More than 78,600 Covid cases have been confirmed in the past 24 hours

(Picture: PA Archive)

The UK reported its highest daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Wednesday as a senior health chief said there could be a “staggering” rise in cases over the next few days.

A further 78,610 Covid-19 cases were reported on Wednesday, surpassing the previous high of 68,053 cases reported on January 8.

Nearly one-quarter of these were recorded in London, as the capital saw 19,294 positive tests.

UK case numbers are also significantly up from the 51,342 positive tests recorded a week ago on December 8.

Additionally, 165 coronavirus deaths were confirmed.

Meanwhile, a record 656,711 booster jabs were administered in the latest 24-hour period, meaning some 43 per cent of the population aged over 12 have now received a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The UK Health Security Agency has also released data showing confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have almost doubled.

Official figures show they have risen by 4,671, taking the total number of confirmed Omicron cases to 10,017 in the UK.

#OmicronVariant latest information

4,671 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK. Confirmed Omicron cases in the UK now total 10,017.

NOTE: Important information about case data in thread below⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gXoellwtPa

— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 15, 2021

Concerns over the speed at which the Omicron variant is spreading in the UK have been expressed by scientists and government advisers.

Chief executive of the UK Health and Security Agency, Dr Jenny Harries warned the Omicron variant is “probably the most significant threat” since the pandemic began.

The doubling time of the spreading of the variant is now under two days in most of the UK, she told MPs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a Downing Street news briefing at 5pm.

He will be joined by England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director of primary care for NHS England.

The briefing is expected to focus on the booster jabs rollout and update on the Omicron variant.

His official spokesman said earlier there are “no plans” to introduce further coronavirus restrictions in England.