UK SETS RECORD FOR 3RD STRAIGHT DAY, REPORTS 122,186 CASES IN 24 HOURS

Fri 24 December 2021:

The United Kingdom declared a new record number of viral cases caused by the Omicron type on Friday.

The authorities reported 122,186 new cases in the last 24 hours, over 2,000 more than on Thursday.

With 147,857 viral deaths, the United Kingdom is among the worst-affected countries in Europe.

Cases increased by 48% in the last seven days compared to the previous week, whereas hospitalizations and deaths increased far more slowly.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the probability of being admitted to hospital with Omicron infection is up to 70% lower than with the previously dominant Delta variant.

However, the government body emphasized that the findings were “preliminary and highly uncertain” because they were based on a tiny sample of hospitalizations so far.

Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UKHSA, told BBC Radio 4 on Friday that the numbers provide a “glimmer of Christmas hope,” but that “it definitely isn’t yet at the point where we could downgrade that serious threat.”

The government will not update its virus case figures again until December 27 due to the public holidays.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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