UK records highest Omicron total, tally rises in Delhi
Another 12,133 Omicron cases have been recorded in Britain, the biggest daily increase since the Covid-19 variant was detected in the country, taking the total Omicron cases found in the country to 37,101, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
Britain reported 82,886 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 11,361,387, according to official figures released on December 19.
The country registered a further 45 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 147,218, with 7,611 Covid-19 patients still in the hospital.
The latest figures came as British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the new variant is spreading "very, very quickly", even more so than the figures suggest.
The "actual number of infections will be significantly higher than case numbers suggest" because not everyone will be taking a test and there is a lag for people to get their test results back, he said.
Meanwhile, the British government's advisory scientists have warned extra restrictions are needed "within days" to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by Omicron.
The Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to three days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
More than 89 percent of people aged 12 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 81 percent have received both doses, according to the latest figures. More than 48 percent have received booster jabs, or the third dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
Meanwhile in India, four new cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 have been reported in Delhi on December 20. The tally of Omicron cases in the national capital has now climbed to 28.
As per Max hospital, Saket, the four people found to be infected with the variant have been admitted to their facility. The Delhi government on December 18 converted four private hospitals into dedicated centres for the treatment of the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.
These four hospitals are Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Max Hospital in Saket, Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, and Batra Hospital in the Tughlakabad area of the national capital.
Earlier, only government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital was designated for the Omicron treatment.
(ANI)