Scramble for booster vaccines as the UK races to tackle Omicron

People queue for booster jabs at St Thomas’ Hospital, London on Monday. Health Secretary Sajid Javid warns Omicron is “spreading at a phenomenal rate” and infections double every two to three days. Pic/AP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday confirmed the country's first death from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 as people queued up at walk-in vaccination centres across the UK for their booster vaccine doses.

Johnson warned of complacency over the mildness of the variant and refused to rule out bringing in further restrictions beyond the government's work from home guidance, as part of measures to tackle Omicron. "Sadly, yes, Omicron is producing hospitalisations and sadly at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with Omicron," he said.

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, the UK

"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. So, the best thing we can do is all get our boosters," he said.

He announced an Omicron Emergency Boost campaign, setting an end of the year deadline for adults over 18 for a third top-up dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. "I am afraid we are now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant, Omicron, and we must urgently reinforce our wall of vaccine protection to keep our friends and loved ones safe," said Johnson. "No-one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming, and I'm afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need. But the good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose - a booster dose - we can all bring our level of protection back up," he said.

China reports Omicron case

The first case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus was reported in Tianjin city in north China, state-run CGTN-TV reported on Monday. China has also reported a spike in COVID-19 infections in Zhejiang Province which registered 138 locally-transmitted confirmed cases stated to be that of new Delta strain "sub-lineage AY.4", prompting authorities to bar millions of people in the eastern province from travelling.

S Africa President tests positive

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is fully vaccinated, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is receiving treatment for mild symptoms, according to his office.

6,17,469 No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours
26,78,65,289 Total no. of cases worldwide
52,85,888 Total no. of deaths worldwide

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