UK confirms first Omicron variant death

Earlier, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said his Government will “throw everything at” the Covid booster programme to tackle Omicron

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the death this morning. Picture: Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard/PA

At least one person in the UK has died with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, Boris Johnson has said, as he refused to rule out tighter restrictions ahead of Christmas.

Speaking during a visit to a vaccination clinic near Paddington in west London, the British Prime Minister said: “Sadly, yes, Omicron is producing hospitalisations and sadly at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with Omicron.