Another 8,044 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK – a third down on Sunday’s figure of 12,133.

The total across the country is now 45,145, the UK Health Security Agency said.

In the daily figures, there have been another 91,743 COVID cases reported and 44 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

The number of cases is almost 9,000 higher than on Sunday.

That goes against the general trend: Monday’s figure tends to be lower than Sunday’s because of a delay in data reporting over the weekend.

The prime minister has been holding a cabinet meeting this afternoon to discuss the latest COVID-19 data.

Scientific advisers are calling for new restrictions to tackle the growth in cases, but about a third of ministers are thought to be against such a move.

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Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of Britons think another national lockdown is likely in the New Year, a survey suggests.

Ipsos MORI also found 62% of people expect to see a new coronavirus variant that is completely resistant to vaccines.

Only a quarter (24%) think restrictions will be lifted permanently in 2022.

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