THE UK’s daily Covid cases have fallen below 100,000 for the first time in three weeks.
Infections have dipped to 99,652 today, in a promising sign the country is moving past the Omicron peak.
The last time figures were below 100,000 was December 21, which saw 90,629 cases.
Infections then began to steadily increase over the next two weeks.
But for the past ten days, cases have halved and fallen hugely from record highs of over 200,000-per-day.
Deaths in the last 24 hours have also fallen today compared to yesterday.
Another 270 tragic fatalities were reported this afternoon, with 335 logged on Thursday.
Hospital patient numbers in England also fell for the fourth day in a row.
It came as ministers in Wales said they would lift all social distancing rules by the end of the month.
It follows the release of Sage documents today, which revealed fresh data showed Omicron is 65 per cent less likely to cause death compared to Delta.
Patients in hospital with the variant have also been found to have shorter stays, and are less likely to need oxygen or intensive care.
Yesterday an expert hailed the UK as being “on the other side” of the Omicron peak.
Professor Tim Spector said: “From Zoe data, the Omicron peak has gone, a few days ago.
“Across the country we are seeing a decrease in virtually all areas, except perhaps the North East, but that is starting to slow down.
“The Omicron wave has peaked and is going down so we’re on the other side so that’s great – but of course we don’t know what the future holds.
“Hospitalisations, deaths and general severity is looking more positive.”
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron is milder than other strains in the vaccinated, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
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Omicron is now the dominant strain in the UK and most people testing positive with the variant suffer with cold like symptoms.
New rules now say anyone who tests positive on a lateral flow must log their results and isolate, and if they don’t have symptoms they don’t need to have a PCR.
If they do have symptoms they still must take a PCR follow-up, regardless of the LTF result.
It comes as Brits are set to enjoy greater freedoms in just 12 days’ time with Boris Johnson poised to ditch Plan B restrictions.
The PM is expected to remove many curbs on our daily lives amid growing confidence the UK can ride out the Omicron wave.
He is very likely to end the requirement to work from home and consign controversial vaccine passports to the dustbin.
Mask wearing in public places is the only of the three major Covid measures that could stay in place beyond the end of the month.
