The COVID-19 situation in the United
Kingdom and the United States is worsening as the positive cases surged due to
the omicron variant of coronavirus.

Both countries have seen a surge in
hospitalisations in recent weeks owing to the variant. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), it is still too early to be reassured by initial
data suggesting that omicron leads to milder disease.

Also Read: NBA changes COVID protocols, shortens path to return to play

Detected in the South African capital of
Pretoria last month, the rapidly spreading variant caused thousands of
infections in more than 100 countries.

United Kingdom

In the UK, daily COVID-19 positive causes
climbed to 183,037 on Wednesday, setting a new record in the daily tally, while
57 patients succumbed to the viral disease on Wednesday, reported Reuters. The total number of
cases and deaths in the UK stands at 12,559,926 and 148,089 respectively,
according to government data.

Also Read: CDC shortens COVID isolation time to five days

The country has barred people from
attending the gathering at indoor and outdoor events in Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland. However, England remains without any such restrictions.

England is currently under Plan B measures,
which call for working from home, compulsory face masks and COVID-19
vaccination certificates for entry to large venues.

Also Read: France imposes new COVID measures amid spike in infections

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has advised
that people should celebrate New Year’s Eve cautiously and urged them to get
vaccinated against COVID-19. “I’m sorry to say this, but the overwhelming
majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our
hospitals are people who are not boosted,” Johnson said on Wednesday.

United States

The US, the worst-hit country by the
COVID-19 crisis, has recorded more than 54 million cases till now. On Tuesday,
the country recorded over 512,000 cases in the last 24 hours, the highest
single-day spike since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Also Read: Dr Anthony Fauci believes US should consider COVID vaccine mandate for domestic air travel

According to data shared by the US Centre
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), omicron is estimated to be 58.6% of
COVID-19 variants circulating in the United States. The new variant has already
overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system. Nearly 9,000 patients are being
hospitalised daily.

Anthony Fauci, the Chief Medical Advisor to
the President, said on Wednesday that Omicron cases will likely reach the
peak in the US by the end of January.

Also Read: No new COVID restrictions for UK, govt urges people to stay cautious for New Year’s

“I would imagine, given the size of our
country and the diversity of vaccination versus no vaccination, that it likely
will be more than a couple of weeks, probably by the end of January, I would
think,” he told CNBC when asked about when cases will peak in the country.