First person dies of Omicron variant in UK

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UK’s first Omicron patient dies – Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that at least one patient had died in the United Kingdom after contracting the Omicron type of coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died of Omicron,” Johnson told reporters.

“So I think the idea that this is a milder version of the virus — I think that’s something we should put it to one side — and just get to know the phenomenal speed at which it’s accelerating through the population.”

Since the first cases of Omicron were discovered on November 27 in the UK, Johnson has imposed stricter restrictions, and on Sunday urged people to get booster doses to prevent health services being overwhelmed.

Health Minister Sajid Javid said the coronavirus Omicron variant is spreading at a “tremendous rate” and now accounts for about 40% of infections in London.

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(Reporting by Jay Faulconbridge and Michael Holden). Editing by Angus Maxwan

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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