At least one person infected with the omicron variant of the coronavirus has died in the United Kingdom, as reported by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday (13). It is the first death from the strain announced by a country since it was identified by scientists in South Africa.
Speaking to reporters, Johnson argued that, although there is little information about omicron, the idea that the variant is milder than the others should be discarded and that it already accounts for 40% of new daily infections in London, and should account for the most cases within the next 24 hours.
The prime minister gave no information about the patient who died after being infected by the omicron. He took the opportunity, however, to defend a package of measures announced last Wednesday (8) and which has earned him criticism even among supporters of the Conservative Party.
In addition to recommending that everyone who can return to remote work, Johnson announced last week that masks will be required in most indoor areas and that vaccination certificates will be mandatory in closed, crowded places.
This Sunday (12), the prime minister informed that the third dose of the vaccine will be offered to everyone over 18 years old before the end of this year. In order to accomplish the task, which in practice corresponds to the application of almost one million doses per day, the country opened more immunization centers, which must function with logistical support from the Army.
“No one should be in any doubt: a strong omicron wave is coming,” Johnson said. “But the good news is that our scientists are convinced that with a third dose, or booster dose, we can all increase our level of protection.”
The United Kingdom already has 3,137 cases of the new variant, a number that the authorities themselves acknowledge to be underreported.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who was with the prime minister, said the variant was spreading at a “phenomenal rate”. Although only 10 people have been hospitalized with omicron, he said, its rapid spread means that unless the government takes action, the health service could be overwhelmed. More than 146,000 people have died from Covid in the UK since the start of the pandemic.
In addition to resisting the restrictive measures, Boris Johnson has seen the popularity ratings of his figure and his party dehydrate over the past week after reports surfaced that parties were being held in Downing Street, the seat of government, during Christmas Eve. last year, when the country was experiencing some of the greatest restrictions.
The package just announced by the prime minister – nicknamed “plan B” – will be voted on by Parliament this Tuesday (14). Information from British newspaper The Guardian suggests that at least 100 parliamentarians, the majority conservative, will oppose the measures, forcing Johnson to rely on the Labor opposition, which has already confirmed its support.
The main sore point is the requirement for a vaccination certificate, something that some lawmakers classify as an attack on civil liberties. The government, however, has also given the option that those who have not yet received both doses test negative for Covid.
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