Half of all COVID-19 cases in the UK could be the new variant of the virus as new data shows a sharp increase in the spread.
The Office for National Statistics reported 49 percent of newly diagnosed cases are likely the mutated strain, with health advisory group Nervtag warning it's "highly confident" the strain is more transmissible.
The new data also suggests case numbers are skyrocketing across the UK with one in 85 people now testing positive - in Wales, it's even higher with one in 60 contracting COVID-19.
London has the highest rate of positive cases - almost 2.1 percent of the city's population. To combat the spread of the virus, the city is under strict lockdown conditions.
Non-essential businesses have closed and people are urged to remain at home unless it's unavoidable.
Households are not allowed to mix but one person is allowed to meet with one other outside in a public space.
Anyone deemed "extremely vulnerable" should not go to work, and no one should stay away from home overnight.
