London, Thanasis Gavos
The UK’s health minister told British lawmakers on Wednesday night that although 568 cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus had been detected in the country so far, the actual number was probably 20 times higher, at about 10,000.
Referring to the analyzes of the UK Health Insurance Service, Mr. Javid said that the cases of the most contagious variant from Delta double every two and a half to three days.
The spread of the variant, the minister added, implies based on the calculations of the same service that by the end of the month the Omicron infections in the United Kingdom “could exceed 1 million”.
Mr Javid also spoke with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who announced an extension of the restrictive measures, including wider use of the mask indoors from Friday, a return to teleworking on Monday and the reinstatement of vaccination certificates in large crowds from next week.
Mr Johnson has dismissed allegations that he hastened to announce measures to divert attention from the political crisis caused by revelations about last year’s Christmas party in Downing Street amid bans.
However, the first two quick polls on the subject give for the first time a majority to those who believe Mr Johnson should resign (53% and 54% respectively).
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