British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
Speaking during a visit to a vaccination clinic in west London, Johnson said that 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,” he said.
The prime minister said that Omicron now represents about 40 percent of COVID-19 cases in London and “tomorrow it’ll be the majority of the cases” in the capital.
The UK government has adopted a series of measures, known as “Plan B,” to slow the spread of the new variant, which was first detected in South Africa.
On Dec. 10, the government began enforcing a mask mandate in most indoor settings in England including cinemas, theatres, and churches. People have also been asked to work from home if they can from Monday, and vaccine passports will be introduced for large-scale events and nightclubs from Wednesday.
The new regulations will be put to a debate and vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday. With the support from the main opposition Labour Party, the measures are certain to be approved, despite the prospect of a large rebellion by Conservative backbench MPs.
Johnson said on Monday that MPs thinking of rebelling against Plan B measures needed to recognise there was “no room for complacency” in dealing with Omicron, as it “is a very serious risk to public health, and that it’s spreading very fast.”
He insisted that the measures are “balanced and proportionate.”
Johnson repeatedly declined to rule out further COVID-19 restrictions being introduced ahead of Christmas, as he said the goal is to “offer a booster” to every adult by the end of the year.
“We think the steps that we are taking—so Plan B, combined with a hugely ambitious acceleration of the booster campaign, bringing it forward by a month so we offer a booster to every adult by the end of the year—we think that’s the right approach.”
Earlier on Monday morning, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told Sky News that there were 10 people in hospital in England with Omicron at the moment.
He told the BBC the government will “throw everything at” the booster vaccine programme to tackle the variant.
PA contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
