NHS campaigners have backed a petition calling for the return of free Covid tests.
The petition, which is backed by health workers and some MPs, also calls on Boris Johnson to restore the isolation requirement for those testing positive and to bring back financial help, such as sick pay.
Covid infections have surged in the last week by 43 percent with 1.4 million UK cases.
The latest surge is due to increased mixing, the spread of Omicron sub-variants and waning immunity, the Mirror reported.
Petition lead Dr John Puntis, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, said: "The Government must take some responsibility for the current level of infection, and a predicted new wave.
"Restoring free lateral flow tests and encouraging self-isolation would help decrease viral spread and protect against new variants and further surges, as well as decreasing the risk of long Covid."
Random testing suggests cases are up from 989,800 the previous week.
The latest figure is the highest since the start of May but well below the 4.9 million high in March.
In Scotland, one in 30 people are thought to have the virus - up from one in 40.
The rates in England are one in 50, which is up from one in 70 a week ago. In Wales, it is one in 45, up from one in 75. In Northern Ireland, it is one in 45, up from one in 65.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said: "It's absurd the Government has scrapped free lateral flow testing."
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