Breaking: UK Records 1st Death with Omicron Variant

On Monday, the United Kingdom (UK) recorded the first death with the Omicron variant of coronavirus, according to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Speaking during a visit to a vaccination clinic near Paddington, in west London, Johnson added that the new variant was resulting in hospital admissions and the "best thing" people could do was get their booster jab.

"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 recognize the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population. So the best thing we can do is all get our boosters."

He was also unable to rule out any new coronavirus restrictions being introduced before Christmas.

Amid repeated questioning, he said: "I've been at great pains to stress to the public that we have to watch where the pandemic is going and we take whatever steps are necessary to protect public health."

It comes after warnings that some non-urgent NHS care may be canceled as the UK ramps up its vaccine capacity to compete with the phenomenally fast-spreading Omicron Covid variant.