Concern in Britain: About one in ten Londoners were infected with coronavirus last Sunday

About 1 in 10 people in London were probably infected with COVID-19 on Sunday, according to new official estimates highlighting the relentless progress of the Omicron variant.

Daily estimates based on models produced by the Office for National Statistics showed that approximately 9.5% of Londoners had COVID-19 as of Sunday, ranging from 8.43% to 10.69%.

The data came a day after Britain recorded a record number of new cases, as the Omicron variant swept the country, with the daily report reaching 119,789 from 106,122 the previous day.

The ONS report also set a record. 1 in 35 people in England had COVID-19 between 13 December and 19 December – compared to an earlier estimate published on Thursday for 1 in 45 a week by 16 December.

Many industries and transport networks are struggling with staff shortages as sick workers are isolating themselves, and hospitals in Britain have warned of the potential impact on patient safety.

Omicron’s rapid progress has led to an increase in cases in Britain over the past seven days, bringing the total to 678,165, according to government figures on Thursday.

As the Conservative government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson struggles to reduce the financial impact of the latest COVID-19 epidemic, it said on Wednesday it was reducing the legal period of self-isolation in England from 10 to seven days.