Britain reported a record 93,045 Covid-19 cases on Friday, breaking the previous high of 88,376 infections detected on Thursday.
Government data showed a further 111 people had died within 28 days of a positive test, down from 146 on Thursday.
Prime minister Boris Johnson on Friday downplayed suggestions that he is at odds with chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty over public health recommendation as he said the country was facing a “considerable wave” of Omicron variant cases.
He also deflected questions over the future of his premiership, insisting people want him to focus on fighting Covid-19.
During a visit to a vaccination centre in Hillingdon, west London, Mr Johnson said Omicron is “a very serious threat to us now” — and called on people to get booster jabs.
“We are seeing a considerable wave coming through and people have got to be prepared and they have got to understand what it entails,” he said.
Some Tory MPs had suggested that Prof Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, and other experts are “running the show” but Mr Johnson said there were no tensions.
Conflicting messages
Asked about conflicting messages from the government and its advisers on socialising over Christmas, Mr Johnson said: “What both Chris Whitty and I are saying is that there is a big wave of Omicron coming through.
“People need to be prudent. You need to think about your budget of risk.”
Earlier, Conservative Party chairman Oliver Dowden said Prof Whitty’s “integrity and independence” as a government adviser should be respected.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier said Omicron had become the dominant strain of coronavirus in Scotland and that “the tsunami I warned about a week ago is now starting to hit us”.
Welsh leader Mark Drakeford hinted at the prospect of further restrictions in hospitality settings after Christmas, such as the return of the “rule of six”.
The leader of Westminster City Council said people cancelling plans in the run-up to Christmas is having a “devastating” impact on hospitality and entertainment businesses in London’s West End.
Rate of infection
Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics estimated around one in 60 people in private households in England had Covid-19 in the week to December 11th, unchanged from the previous week.
The proportion testing positive is thought to have risen in the latest week in eastern England and London, but decreased in the northeast England, Yorkshire and the Humber.
Asked during his visit to Hillingdon if he would resign if it was in the interest of the Conservative Party, Mr Johnson: “What we’re focusing on is getting the job done. What we’re focusing on is trying to make sure that we not only have the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, the fastest booster rollout, as we’ve already done, but that we’re able - because of the Get Boosted Now campaign — to avert some of the more damaging consequences of Omicron.
“That is what the government is engaged in doing now. That is what I am focused on. And, do you know what, I think that is what people would want me to be focused on right now.”