Cases of the Omicron Covid variant have been detected in Bracknell and Wokingham.

As the Government pushes ahead with ‘Plan B’ rules, seven Omicron cases were confirmed in Bracknell Forrest and five in Wokingham as of December 10.

The rate of coronavirus infection has been rising steadily in Bracknell since November 7, when 46 cases were confirmed in one day.

On December 8, 132 new infections were detected – an increase of 187 per cent.

Read more: Almost 400 test positive for Coronavirus in Bracknell over weekend

In Wokingham, 64 cases were recorded on November 7 where as 164 infections were detected on December 8.

The news comes as Dominic Raab defended the set of measures introduced by the Government to tackle the new variant, including working from home and increased mask-wearing.

Asked if Christmas will be safe by Times Radio, the Justice Secretary said: “Yes, I think it is. I want to give that reassurance. I think people can look forward to spending Christmas with loved ones in a way that we couldn’t last year.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) believes the Omicron variant is causing around 200,000 new infections per day.

Read more: Where, when and how you can book a Covid Booster jab in Bracknell and Wokingham

There is exponential growth, with cases doubling at least every two to three days.

Plan B could see Boris Johnson face the biggest rebellion of his premiership, with dozens of Tory MPs set to vote against the latest Covid restrictions.

More than 70 backbenchers are threatening to defy the whips and oppose the Government’s Plan B for England, but with support from opposition parties the measures will pass.