UK COVID deaths today passed the grim milestone of 150,000 since the pandemic began - as daily cases dropped for the fourth day in a row.
Sadly the number of people who have died of Covid in the UK since the beginning of that pandemic now stands at 150,057 with 313 more deaths reported today.
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Covid deaths in the UK have passed 150,000 Credit: Getty
A further 146,390 people tested positive for Covid today, even less after the 178,250 cases reported yesterday.
It continues the downward trend since 21,8724 cases were recorded four days ago on Tuesday.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, 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.
The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Professor Andrew Hayward, who advises the Government as part of Sage, said the UK recording more than 150,000 deaths after positive Covid tests was "absolutely tragic".
After hearing the testimony of a woman who lost two close relatives during the pandemic, the University College London academic told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "It is absolutely tragic and to think that's been repeated so many times is awful.
"I think we could have done better. I think some of the deaths are even more tragic for the fact that many of them were avoidable if we had acted earlier in the first and second wave."
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It comes as research has shown that Omicron could be 99 per cent less deadly than other Covid variants in a glimmer of hope that the worst of the pandemic might be over.
Sajid Javid revealed that Omicron is up to 90 per cent milder for boosted and a killer combination of boosters and groundbreaking antiviral drugs have put the country on a much better footing to fight Covid.
Experts believe that coronavirus could be as mild as the common cold within months and the world will be able to function normally again.
Dr Mike Tildesley said the world will be able to function normally again soon and previously questioned the need for curbs.
Omicron is now responsible for the majority of cases in the UK and has taken over from the Delta variant.
Data from the government also revealed that cases are still rising in over 90 per cent of areas in the UK.
According to the latest Scottish Government figures, there are 1,362 people in hospital with Covid with 48 of them being in intensive care.
The figures also show there were 12,602 new cases of Covid reported, although there are delays in people receiving results from PCR tests.
There were 26 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive for the virus.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "There continue to be large volumes of tests being processed by labs; this and the holiday weekend have impacted turnaround times resulting in delays between specimens being taken and results being received and reported.
"Public Health Scotland are continuing to monitor the situation."
Pre-departure and PCR tests are being axed for arrivals into Britain because Omicron is now so widespread.
But the fact that the variant is so much milder, combined with Britain's aggressive booster campaign, means deaths and patients in ICU remain low.
Covid could be like a common cold by SPRING as mild Omicron strain is found to be much less severe