DAILY Covid-19 cases have reached their highest level in almost a year as experts warned the Omicron variant could become the dominant strain in the UK by mid-December.
Analysis of Omicron by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also found two doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines provided “much lower” levels of protection against Omicron when compared with the Delta variant.
But the UKHSA said preliminary data showed vaccine effectiveness “considerably increased” in the early period after a booster dose, providing around 70% to 75% protection against symptomatic infection.
The news came as UK leaders held a Cobra meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss the latest data and their co-ordinated response, after which Cabinet minister Michael Gove said the UK faces a “deeply concerning situation”.
The UK Government said, as of 9am Friday, there had been a further 58,194 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK. The last time a higher daily figure was reported was on January 9, when 59,937 cases were recorded.
An additional 448 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have been reported across the UK, the UKHSA said, bringing the total number to 1265. A breakdown shows 443 of the additional cases have been reported in England, one in Scotland and four in Wales. No further cases have been reported in Northern Ireland.
READ MORE: Emergency four-nations Cobra meeting to discuss Omicron variant response
The Cobra meeting was held virtually by Gove in his role as Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, as he continued to self-isolate after coming into contact with the Australian deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who has tested positive for Covid.
Gove is understood to have tested negative but is isolating as a precaution while waiting to find out if Joyce contracted the Omicron variant.
Following the meeting, he said the UK faced a “deeply concerning situation” given the fast rate the Omicron variant is spreading across the country.
Speaking to broadcasters, he said: “The Cobra meeting I’ve just chaired with First Ministers of all the devolved administrations was presented with some very challenging new information. We know that we have the highest number of Covid infections across the UK recorded today since January 9.
“We know the Omicron variant is doubling every two to three days in England, and possibly even faster in Scotland.
“We know that 30% of reported cases in London are the Omicron variant and of course we only identified Omicron in this country a fortnight ago.”
READ MORE: Omicron could cause 'tsunami of infections' Nicola Sturgeon has warned
Nicola Sturgeon told a briefing in Edinburgh that she could not rule out more restrictions in Scotland as she warned of the possibility of a new wave of Covid. However,
No 10 maintained that there were “no plans” to go further with measures in England.
It has been reported that proposals are being drawn up for a plan C, featuring even tougher rules.
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