Omicron spread: UK sets new record for COVID-19 cases as new variant sweeps London

Government data showed 122,186 new cases, up from 119,789 on Thursday and marking a third day of cases in excess of 100,000.

LONDON: Britain reported another day of record COVID-19 cases on Friday, with new estimates showing swathes of London`s population are carrying the virus, underlining the relentless advance of the Omicron variant.

Omicron`s rapid spread has driven a surge in cases over the last seven days, especially in the capital.

Around 1 in 20 Londoners likely had COVID-19 on December 16 and early estimates - which could yet be revised - suggest this may have risen to 1 in 10 on Sunday, models from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed on Friday.