Alarming: UK start to report highest daily COVID-19 cases again

The United Kingdom has seen the highest daily coronavirus instances since the outbreak began, with a total of 78,610 COVID-19 infections reported, over 10,000 more than the previous high in January.

In the UK, which has a population of about 67 million people, more over 11 million people have tested positive for the disease.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of a "tidal wave" of illnesses as a new highly transmissible Omicron form of the virus spreads across the UK.

On Tuesday, though, he was dealt a blow to his authority when more than 100 of his colleagues voted against efforts to stem the disease's spread.

The British Prime Minister remarked during a press conference that the doubling rate of Omicron in some areas is currently less than two days.

"I'm afraid we're also seeing the predictable spike in hospitalizations," he continued. "Hospitalizations are up 10% nationally week on week, and up nearly a third in London."

"But we're also seeing signs of hope," Johnson said, alluding to the public's response to a Sunday emergency omicron appeal.

"I want to thank everyone who has come out," he said, adding that "everyone who pulls up their sleeve to get jabbed is supporting this national effort."

The UK Health Security Agency's chief executive, Jenny Harries has described the Omicron variant as "perhaps the most substantial threat" since the outbreak began.

"The numbers we see on data over the following few days will be rather startling," she told a parliamentary committee, "relative to the rate of rise we've seen in instances for earlier versions."

According to Harries, the new strain of the virus has a "shortening" doubling time, which is now under two days in most parts of the UK, with the fastest growth rates in London and Manchester.

Over 10,000 cases of Omicron have been reported, with at least ten people being admitted to hospitals.

One person has lost his life as a result of getting the Omicron variant, which is expected to become the most common in London.