UK registers nearly 130,000 Covid cases in new daily record

London, Dec 28 (EFE).- The United Kingdom on Tuesday registered a daily record of 129,471 Covid-19 cases as hospital admissions in England jumped by 38% in the last week to their highest levels since March.

In London, the current epicenter of the Omicron variant-driven surge, some 3,024 people with Covid-19 are hospitalized, a surge of 58.8% since last Tuesday and the highest figures since January this year.

ICU admissions in the UK capital rose 7.4% in the same time.

The government said 18 people with Covid-19 had died in the last 24 hours, a decrease compared to the daily figure of 172 last week, although the accuracy of the data may be less reliable over the festive period — both Monday and Tuesday are bank holidays in the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ruled out implementing further Covid-19 restrictions ahead of the New Year but would review the situation in early January.

Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have drawn up limitations such as new social distancing measures in time for New Year celebrations. EFE

gx/jt