The UK has recorded its higher-ever number of coronavirus cases, with 78,610 registered in the latest 24-hour period.

England’s chief medical officer warned of worse to come as the Omicron variant continues to spread at an “absolutely phenomenal pace” across the country.

Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Professor Chris Whitty said daily COVID-19 case records “will be broken a lot over the next few weeks as the rates continue to go up”.

These would translate into “big numbers” being treated in hospital in the coming weeks, he said.

“I’m afraid there will be an increasing number of Omicron patients going into the NHS, going into hospital, going into intensive care,” Prof Whitty said.

“The exact ratios we don’t yet know, but there will be substantial numbers and that will begin to become apparent, in my view, fairly soon after Christmas.

“It will start before then but, in terms of the big numbers, I think that’s a reasonably, I’m afraid, a reasonably nailed on prospect.”

COVID-19: Chancellor Rishi Sunak urged to give extra support to hospitality businesses suffering mass cancellations

COVID-19: Boris Johnson holds firm at news conference but government medics beg public to reconsider their plans

COVID-19: Complacency is dangerous as Chris Whitty appears fed up with suggestions Omicron is milder

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Public advised to limit social contacts

Prof Whitty said the UK faced “a really serious threat at the moment” and suggested that Britons should “deprioritise” certain social contacts.

He suggested people limit their interactions with others in the run-up to Christmas, echoing comments made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in which he told people to “think carefully” before attending social events.

“I think what most people are doing – and I think this seems very sensible – is prioritising the social interactions that mean a lot to them and, to prioritise those ones, de-prioritising ones that mean much less to them,” Prof Whitty said.

Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director of primary care for NHS England, advised people to stay away from sports stadiums – despite there being no legal limits on crowd sizes.

“My advice would be, if you’re going to go to a stadium at the weekend, make it one where you can get your vaccine or help out to give a vaccine, rather than going to watch a match,” she said.

The government has not told any businesses to close or imposed any capacity restrictions on sporting events, but the stark warnings from medical experts prompted further calls for hospitality businesses to receive support in the coming weeks, as many reported an uptick in booking cancellations.

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

‘Two epidemics on top of one another’

Prof Whitty said there were “several things we don’t know” about the Omicron variant, but warned: “All the things that we do know are bad.”

He suggested there were “two epidemics on top of one another” – one of the Delta variant, which is “roughly flat” and a “very rapidly growing Omicron epidemic on top of it”.

He said the government had to choose between “really unpalatable options”, adding that there was no clear data yet on severe disease and deaths from Omicron with two jabs, and what the picture was for those who have had boosters.

Speaking at the news conference, the prime minister urged people to get vaccinated, adding that from Monday 12 to 15-year-olds to book their second jab.

“We know how crucial it is to keep children in schools so let’s all make sure our children and young people are vaccinated before they go back next term,” Mr Johnson said.

Related posts:

‘Hard to see’ how Northern Ireland Protocol can remain sustainable, Brexit minister tells MPs Travel firm TUI joins airlines suing government over ‘inexplicable’ amber list rules PMQs: Johnson apologises to businesses over ‘pingdemic’ after more than half a million told to isolate Former cyber security chief raises alarm over sale of Welsh microchip manufacturer to Chinese-backed company ‘We can’t blow it now’: COVID cases could hit 100,000 a day – but England won’t move to Plan B yet Booster jab rules will not change unless JCVI says so, minister says MPs to be offered security guards for constituency surgeries following murder of Sir David Amess Patel blames rise in migrant crossings on EU having ‘no border protections whatsoever’ Ex-Tory MP jailed for sexual assault now claiming benefit as he tells court he can’t pay costs ‘Stuck in the dark ages’: Sajid Javid says sports bodies are failing to tackle racism Why the government’s social care cap plan is worrying some Tory MPs UK does not need mandatory vaccines due to ‘extraordinary success’ of rollout – Raab