Britain reported a new high of 93,045 COVID-19 infections on Friday, breaking the record set on Thursday of 88,376 cases.

The number of deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test was 111 versus 146 on Thursday, government data showed.

The country's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has advised people to prioritize events that matter to them in the run-up to Christmas.

Whitty earlier said the record for daily hospital admissions for COVID-19 could be broken in the coming weeks, urging people not to "mix with people you don't have to."

Meanwhile, scores of schools and colleges across Britain are closing early for Christmas, while others are preparing for further disruption and possible closures next year as the Omicron variant sweeps the country.

(With input from agencies)