UK Readies For Omicron ‘Tidal Wave' After 1st Variant Death

Booster Blitz Launched As Variant Cases ‘Double Every 2-3 Days’; Strain Likely To Become Dominant In Days

London: At least one person has died in the UK after contracting the Omicron variant, PM Boris Johnson said on Monday, the first publicly confirmed death globally from the swiftly spreading strain. Since the first Omicron cases were detected on November 27 in Britain, Johnson has imposed tougher restrictions and on Sunday cautioned that the variant could overcome the immune defences of those inoculated with two shots of vaccines.

Britain gave no details on the death other than the person had been diagnosed in hospital. It was not clear if the patient had been vaccinated or had underlying health issues.