By First Omicron death recorded in the UK as the virus continues to spread
The Prime Minister has today confirmed that at least one person in the UK has now sadly died after testing positive for the new Covid variant Omicron.
Boris Johnson said the new variant was also resulting in hospital admissions and the “best thing” people could do was get their booster jab.
Visiting a vaccination clinic in London, he said people should set aside the idea Omicron was a milder variant.
Speaking during his visit Mr Johnson said: “Sadly yes, Omicron is producing hospitalisations and sadly at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with Omicron.
“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 recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population.”
Earlier this morning the NHS website crashed after more than 100,000 people tried to book their booster.
There have also been long queues at walk-in centres and lateral flow test kits are currently unavailable on the government website due to a surge in people ordering them.
From Tuesday, people who are fully vaccinated will be advised to take daily tests if they have been in contact with someone who has Covid.
Online bookings for boosters opened for over-30s on Monday, while 18 to 29-year-old will be able to book online from Wednesday.
Over-18s can now also get their booster at some walk-in centres in England as long as it has been three months since their second dose.
