Daily Covid-19 cases in the UK have exceeded 100,000 for the first time, the latest government figures show.
Some 106,122 cases were announced on Wednesday - the latest in a series of record-breaking days for infections.
The eight highest daily case figures since the pandemic began have all come since 15 December.
A total of 8,008 people were in hospital with coronavirus as of Tuesday, the highest since 22 November - but way down on last winter's peak.
Boris Johnson has said no new restrictions will be introduced in England before Christmas.
However, speaking on Tuesday, the prime minister refused to rule out introducing fresh measures after Christmas with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
There were 140 deaths reported within 28 days of a positive Covid test on Wednesday.
A record 968,665 boosters and third doses were reported on Tuesday, with 6.1 million in the past week alone.-BBC
