News Desk: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday confirmed the first death due to the Omicron variant of coronavirus as Britain expanded its booster programme for all aged 30 and above. Johnson told reporters that “at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with Omicron”. The confirmation comes amid reports of the new variant of concern causing mild disease as compared to the Delta, which is currently the dominant strain globally.
The World Health Organization said in a technical briefing that Omicron is more transmissible than the Delta strain and reduces vaccine efficacy but causes less severe symptoms. The UN health agency report stated that the Omicron variant has been detected in at least 63 countries as of December 9.
“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,” Johnson said.
UK's National Health Service expanded its vaccine booster programme from Monday after the country's health security agency found that the additional dose of the Covid vaccine significantly restores protection against mild disease caused by Omicron. But users are facing issues with the booking system amid high demand for booster shots.
“The COVID vaccine booking service is currently facing extremely high demand so is operating a queueing system. For users aged 18-29, please be aware that booking opens on Wednesday 15 Dec. For all others experiencing waits, we would advise trying again later today or tomorrow,” UK NHS wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, a new modelling study has projected up to 74,800 deaths in the United Kingdom by April 2022 due to the Omicron variant. The study suggests that Omicron has the potential to cause a wave of transmission that could lead to a higher number of infections and hospitalisations than during January 2021 if no additional control measures are implemented over and above the current ‘Plan B’ policy in England.
