UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveals first fatality of Omicron variant

By Edward Era Barbacena

At least one person infected with the Omicron variant has died in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed Monday.

Johnson reported the death as he warned that COVID-19 strain “is spiking now in London and some other parts of the country.

“Sadly, at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron,” Johnson told reporters at a vaccination center in the capital.

It was not clear whether the patient had been vaccinated or had underlying health issues.

Johnson said the variant currently accounts for around 40 percent of the coronavirus infections in London.

“So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus – I think that’s something we need to set on one side – and just recognize the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population,” he said of Omicron.

In a televised statement Sunday, Johnson warned that the country was bracing for a “tidal wave” of Omicron infections and announced plans to offer a booster shot to all adults by the end of the year.

“I’m afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need,” Johnson said. “But the good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose – a booster dose – we can all bring our level of protection back up.”

Brits heeded the prime minister’s call to get the extra dose Monday, forming hours-long lines at vaccination centers.

St. Thomas’ Hospital, which is located on the south bank of the River Thames in London, drew hundreds of people in a line that stretched across Westminster Bridge toward Parliament.

The government’s booking service also became overwhelmed by the demand for the shots.

“The COVID vaccine booking service is currently facing extremely high demand so is operating a queuing system,” the National Health Service said on Twitter.

Experts have warned that the variant, which first was detected in South Africa, is believed to be more transmissible.

Preliminary studies have suggested that it is more resistant to existing vaccines, though more research is needed to confirm whether it evades immunity from the shots.