The UK has recorded the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began, with 78,610 new coronavirus cases confirmed. It's more than 10,000 higher than the previous record number - 68,053 on 8 January - and also represents a jump of more than 20,000 in 24 hours, with Tuesday's figure having been 59,610 cases. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said: "Records will be broken a lot over the next few weeks," adding Omicron is spreading at an "absolutely phenomenal pace". Earlier, Health Secretary Sajid Javid refused to rule out the prospect of fresh measures over the coming weeks.
The latest UK figures also featured a record number of booster or third vaccine doses in a day - 656,711. Prime Minister Boris Johnson used the Downing Street briefing to say it was "absolutely vital" that everyone gets a booster jab to tackle the Omicron variant. "We are throwing everything at it and wherever you are, we'll be there with a jab for you, so please get boosted now," he said. You can find out how to book your booster jab here.
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