The Omicron variant of coronavirus may be spreading faster in England than in South Africa and the confirmed infections are set to soar in the coming weeks, according to Prof John Edmunds, a senior epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a member of the UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage). Prof John Edmunds was quoted by Guardian saying, “The emergence of the Omicron variant was a very severe setback to the gains made on the pandemic front.”  

He warned that the daily coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases with Omicron infection could possibly reach 60,000 by Christmas, as it is “extremely likely” that there are more Omicron cases in the country than confirmed by tests.