Omicron could be infecting 4,000-a-day amid fears it will become dominant variant
OMICRON could be infecting more than 4,000 Brits each day amid fears it will overtake Delta as the dominant UK variant.
At the moment, over 51,000 people are testing positive for Covid daily across the country.
Health experts and ministers have urged all Brits to come forward for their vaccines and their boosters, which are key in the fight against Covid.
The Sun wants readers to join its 'Give Britain a Booster' campaign, after thousands signed up through our 'Jabs Army' to get jabs in arms and assist the NHS with the rollout.
It's vital to get your life-saving jabs and be fully protected - after the latest research from Pfizer found three doses "neutralises" the mutant variant.
But even with the jabs rollout "turbocharged", experts have said infections from Omicron are doubling every two to three days, with it reported last night cases have risen by 44 per cent in 24 hours.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said another 249 cases of the variant had been detected, taking the total to 817.
But Government scientists have said the true number of infections is likely to be more in the region of 10,000 - due to people not being tested or the sample not picking up the variant.
Most read in Health
Alastair Grant, a University of East Anglia professor working on Covid-19 modelling using UKHSA data, revealed cases of Omicron are now behind 8.5 per cent of all UK infections.
In the last few days, over 50,000 Brits have been testing positive on a daily basis, meaning over 4,000 could be infected with Omicron.
This is despite the fact that less than 1,000 cases of the variant have actually been officially detected in the UK.
But the speed at which Omicron is taking hold of the UK has sparked fears it could become the dominant variant.
Data from the Office for National Statistics today suggests that the number of people testing positive for Covid has increased in the last two weeks.
Estimates state that one in 60 people currently have Covid in the UK - this they stated, included all variants.
Today Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tightened rules to stem the spread of the mutation ripping across Britain - blowing a hole in hopes of a normal Christmas.
In a grim warning she said: "To be blunt, because of the much greater and faster transmissibility of this new variant, we may be facing - indeed we may be starting to experience - a potential tsunami of infections."
She added "it is highly probable that Omicron will outcompete Delta and become the dominant variant within Scotland very quickly, with the potential to cause high case numbers".
As of Thursday in Scotland, 13.3 per cent of all PCR tests showed signs of the new variant.
It comes as a doom-mongering epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London, Deepti Gurdasan, warned the government "must respond" to the Omicron crisis.
She highlighted that ministers had unveils 'incremental restrictions' that could plunge Brits into a fourth lockdown.
“The NHS is already in trouble. And in the worst-case scenario, the impact [of Omicron] could actually exceed previous peaks in terms of hospitalisations. This is a crisis. It’s not a time for incremental measures.
“It’s much better to take stringent action early, but as usual the Government is proceeding with delayed action which inevitably leads into lockdowns", she told .
Earlier this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to implement Plan B restrictions in order to 'get on the front foot' when it comes to Omicron.
This includes a 'work from home if you can' recommendation, and mandatory face masks in places like theatres.
The booster campaign has also been bolstered this week with more people being urged to come forward for their jabs in order to give them an extra boost against Omicron.
Millions of people have already had Covid-19 vaccinations and there is now a big push for everyone who is eligible to come forward for their booster.
An emergency COBRA meeting was also set to take place today due to the fears, with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attending - along with other devolved leaders.
It's due to the rising infections that officials are believed to be considering Plan C rules.
This would include table service in pubs and vaccine passports in smaller venues.
The proposals - which would be a step up from the current Plan B restrictions - could be introduced in the New Year if Omicron turns out to be more dangerous than currently believed.
Under 'Plan C' punters would have to check in with the NHS Covid app to go to pubs and restaurants.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Face mask-wearing may also extend to all indoor places - including those currently exempt in Plan B, including gyms and pubs.
Brits may also have to show vaccine passports at more venues - which will be a blow to businesses already facing issues under Plan B.