Cases of the Omicron Covid variant have been detected in West Berkshire, which includes Theale, Calcot and the edge of Tilehurst.

As the Government pushes ahead with ‘Plan B’ rules, two Omicron cases were confirmed in the county as of December 10.

The rate of coronavirus infection has been rising steadily in the area since November 6, when 68 cases were confirmed in one day.

On December 8, 136 new infections were detected – an increase of 100 per cent.

Read more: Almost 500 people test positive for Coronavirus in Reading over weekend

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: School closed after number of staff test positive for Coronavirus

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.