There are currently 129 people in hospital with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and so far 14 people have died with it, Reuters quoted junior health minister Gillian Keegan as saying.

She also said the UK government would not hesitate to bring in further Covid-19 restrictions if the data showed it was necessary.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that he would not introduce new restrictions in England before Christmas, but the situation remained extremely difficult and the government might need to act afterwards.