UK reports more than 10,000 Omicron cases; deaths rise to 7

More than 10,000 new Omicron cases have been reported in the UK in the highest daily surge so far, as the number of overall COVID-19 infections stood well above 90,000 cases.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed an additional 10,059 cases of the new variant on Saturday, more than three times as many as reported on Friday (3,201), taking the total number of cases to 24,968.

A total of 90,418 infections have also been reported, as the UK’s COVID-19 daily deaths tally stood at 125, up on Friday’s count of 111, but down on the 132 reported last Saturday.

The death toll from the Omicron variant jumped from one to seven. “We’ve shown in the past as government in dealing with this pandemic that we will do what is necessary, but it’s got to be backed up by data,” UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said in reference to reports that the government is planning tighter lockdown restrictions due to the Omicron surge.

“We are watching the data and discussing it with our scientists and our best advisers almost on an hourly basis. We will monitor very carefully, and keep the situation under review,” he explained. Ministers have received a briefing on the latest COVID-19 data and a meeting of the Cabinet Office Briefing Room. A emergency committee will be held over the weekend to assess if further measures are to be brought in.

“I think if new restrictions are brought in, and by the way, it’s inevitable, there must be a major package of financial support for our hospitality, culture, and retail sectors,” London Mayor Sadiq Khan said, who declared a “major incident” in the UK capital to help deal with the city’s massive surge in the coronavirus cases.

“I’m afraid over the last few days we’ve seen a major surge of Omicron. Although those in hospital is less than what it was this time last year, including those on ventilators, the number of positive cases is way above. In the last 24 hours, we’ve had almost 30,000 confirmed new cases, and in the last seven days, more than 130,000 confirmed new cases,” he said.