Professor Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News on Thursday that the current wave of COVID-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant is a different situation to previous waves, with lower death rates. As a result, he said he felt "very optimistic" that by Spring, Britain could see the back of the virus and start to "celebrate life" again.

       Professor Balloux said: “I am quite optimistic, very optimistic, that by the Spring, the worst of the pandemic will be behind us.

       “Even if we look backwards, at the moment it looks very grim and it looks bleak.”

       He added: “But if you compare the number of deaths and the number of hospitalisations we are seeing now compared to what we were seeing in Spring 2020, or the winter of 2021.

       “It has really been a much more effective situation thanks to the vaccines.”

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       "I feel the Spring should really bring some joy.”

       In a tweet on Wednesday, the Professor said: "Let’s go fo a final push to try to convince as many as possible to get vaccinated/boosted.

       "By the Spring, we shall burn the masks, dismantle the perspex screens.

       "Bin the tests, shred the passes, and celebrate life.”

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       The comments come as scientists have found the Omicron variant to be up to 70 percent less likely to put those infected in hospital.

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       A record 119,789 COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday.

       While a further 140 deaths were recorded on Wednesday.