UK Omicron cases hit 246 as new infections surge 53% in a DAY after experts warned measures to stop the spread were too late

CAUSES of the Omicron Covid variant have increased by 53% today with another 86 infections reported in the UK – bringing the total to 246 cases.

It comes after an expert warned hasty travel measures put in place to combat the spread of “super stress” were too late to stem the wave of cases.

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The UK Health Security Agency has now confirmed even more cases of the mutant variant that have been recorded today.

An additional 86 cases of the Omicron strain have been reported in the UK – of which 68 are in the UK.

That’s a 53% increase in just one DAY as the total went from 160 to 246 in the last 24 hours.

A further 17 cases have been confirmed in Scotland, bringing the total to 48.

Earlier today, government adviser Professor Mark Woolhouse said it was “too late” to make a “material difference” in stopping the outbreak of cases.

UKHSA has warned the mutant variant is “transmitting rapidly and successfully” after it was first identified here a week ago.

The surge in cases has resulted in ministers in Westminster having to sign off on new travel restrictions, meaning those returning from abroad will need a negative PCR test or an internal flow test 48 hours before going home.

Asked about the new travel rules on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show this morning, Prof Woolhouse said: “I think it might be the case that the barn door is closed after the horse has bolted.

“If Omicron is here in the UK, and it certainly is, if there is community transmission in the UK, and it certainly is, then that community transmission will drive the next wave. .

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“The cases being imported are important, we want to detect those and isolate any positive cases we find, just like we would for any case in any other country. where.

“But I think it’s too late to make a material difference to the course of the Omicron waves if we will.”

Although Omicron cases are on the rise, Dominic Raab today insisted families CAN get together this Christmas because of growing concerns about the festive lockdown.

The deputy prime minister tried to reassure panicked Britons that the country was in a “more confident position” than last year when he urged people to get ahead with Christmas parties.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Raab said people should “enjoy” Christmas gatherings and celebrations with family and loved ones around them.

“It’s going to be a great Christmas,” he said.

“All family, friends, loved ones are able to come together in a way that we haven’t been able to do for a few years.

“Of course we will continue to be wary of variations but the reality is that we are in a much more confident position because of the vaccine, because of the boosters.

“Everybody should enjoy Christmas, have their loved ones by their side and celebrate it in a way that we haven’t been able to do in the past.”

The increase in Omicron cases comes after it was reported that the first Covid pill at home could be given by CHRISTMAS in an attempt to combat this variant.

Sajid Javid is reportedly launching a national pilot of a “game-changing” oral treatment – the antiviral pill Molnupiravir, also known as Lagevrio – in the coming weeks.

Last month, the UK’s medicines regulator declared the pills to be “safe and effective” in reducing hospital admissions and deaths in people who had contracted the killer bug, becoming first country in the world to license it – a move described as a “game-changer” by Mr Javid.