UK Reports Over 1 Lakh COVID-19 Cases in 24 Hours

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(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Britain, on Wednesday, 22 December, reported 1,06,122 new COVID-19 cases, crossing the one lakh mark for the first time since widespread testing was introduced in the United Kingdom.

According to government data, the UK recorded 90,629 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, 21 December, and has reported a total of 140 deaths in the last 28 days.

The number of COVID-19 cases has shot up by 58.9 per cent in the past seven days while the number of daily deaths reported has decreased by 2.7 per cent over the same period.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals has increased by 4 per cent in one week, with a total of 8,008 people reported to be hospitalised as of Tuesday, 21 December.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will not introduce any further COVID-19 restrictions in the UK before Christmas but has warned that the situation remains "finely balanced" ahead of the new year.

Johnson has also warned that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant meant curbs could still be imposed after Christmas.

More than 89 per cent of people aged 12 and over in the UK have had their first dose of vaccine, and more than 81 per cent have received both doses, according to the latest figures.

More than 52 per cent have received booster jabs or the third dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

(With inputs from AFP, BBC)