The United Kingdom closes the year with a record of 189,846 coronavirus infections in one day

United Kingdom registered this Friday, the last day of the year, another record of COVID infections, by computing 189,846 new cases in 24 hours, 48.7% more than a week ago, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health.

The figure released today is slightly above the 189,213 positives recorded between Wednesday and Thursday and consolidates an upward trend driven by the omicron variant, which some scientists hope will soon reach its peak.

According to these data, in the last 24 hours there have been 203 deaths from covid-19, 5.3% less than seven days ago, up to a total of 148,624 registered after a positive test since the start of the pandemic, compared to 172,657 deaths in whose death certificate the virus is cited.

The latest data for hospital admissions across the country is from December 27, when 1,915 were recorded in a single day, 62% more than the previous week but below the peak of 4,583 admissions on January 12, 2021.

The total number of people currently hospitalized for covid amounts to 11,918 -868 with assisted ventilation-, 44% over the previous week but still far from the maximum of 39,254 reached on January 18.

82.4% of the population over 12 years of age have received the full two-dose vaccination schedule in the UK, and 59% have received the booster dose, the ministry noted.

The Health Security Agency has confirmed today that, according to the latest data, the third dose of the vaccine manages to reduce by 81% the probability of having to be hospitalized for the omicron variant, compared to the unvaccinated.

In any case, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has recommended caution in New Year’s Eve celebrations, which are expected to be reduced after the cancellation of most public events.