UK Reports 122,000 New COVID-19 Cases, Setting Another Record High

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The daily COVID-19 cases in the UK have surpassed 120,000 during the Christmas holiday, breaking the record once again. The spread of the Omicron variant is severe in the UK, and the surge shows no signs of slowing down.

According to the BBC on the 24th (local time), the UK health authorities reported 122,186 new COVID-19 cases, setting a new record. The number of deaths was recorded at 137. Over the past seven days, the UK reported 707,306 new cases, an increase of 230,000 (48%) compared to the previous seven days. Deaths over the seven days totaled 810, showing only a 2% increase. Hospital admissions in the recent seven days totaled 6,581, an 8% increase compared to the previous seven days.

The number of Omicron variant infections continues to rise. On this day, 23,719 new Omicron cases were added, bringing the cumulative total to 114,625. There have been 29 deaths and 366 hospitalizations following Omicron infections.

The UK Office for National Statistics reported that between the 13th and 19th, 1.7 million people were infected with COVID-19, with one in every 20 people in London infected. Additionally, based on a new estimation method, it warned that by the 26th, nationwide COVID-19 infections will exceed 2 million, with one in every 10 people in London infected.

Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said in an interview with Sky News UK, "COVID-19 is spreading very rapidly mainly among people in their 20s," adding, "There is a highly mixed situation with Omicron and Delta variants, as some young children and most hospitalized patients are infected with the Delta variant."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.