The United Kingdom has reported for the first time that a patient infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has died, Sky News reports.

 

Several Omicron patients are in hospitals in the country.

“I think the idea that this is a milder version of the coronavirus is something that we have to put aside,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, according to Sky News.

The Prime Minister points to the speed at which the Omicron variant is spreading in the United Kingdom. Many cases have been identified, especially in England. There are now a total of 3137.

Johnson points to the importance of the booster campaign. Since his call on Sunday evening to all adults to have an extra shot, long lines have formed at several vaccination centres in England.

There is also a run on vaccination appointments. The booking site is overloaded, and people are queued or advised to try again later due to crowds.