INTERNATIONAL: At least one patient has died in the United Kingdom after contracting the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced on Monday, 13 December.

"Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson has confirmed during a visit to a vaccination centre in central London.

"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."

The British Prime Minister has declared that Omicron spiking now in London and some other parts of the country. In the capital, it probably represents about 40 percent of the cases. Soon, it will be the majority of the cases and it's increasing the whole time. Omicron is producing hospitalisations, and sadly, at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron. So, the idea that it is somehow a milder version of the virus, is something people need to set on one side and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population. And the best thing to do is get boosters. United Kingdom is opening up centres across the country. And it’s getting in the the army to help with the logistics.

Since the first Omicron cases were detected on 27 November in the United Kingdom, Johnson has imposed tougher restrictions, and on Sunday he has urged people to get booster shots to prevent the health service from being overwhelmed.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has declared the Omicron coronavirus variant was spreading at a "phenomenal rate" and now accounted for about 40% of infections in London.

Johnson, who is grappling with an outcry over alleged parties at his Downing Street office during last year's lockdown, reiterated on Monday that he "certainly broke no rules."

^{PHOTO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON VISITING A VACCINATION CENTRE IN CENTRAL LONDON, SOUNDBITES FROM JOHNSON CONFIRMING AT LEAST ONE PATIENT HAS DIED FROM OMICRON / SAYING PEOPLE CAN GET TESTS, WE HAVE AMPLE SUPPLIES/ ANSWERING QUESTION ON ALLEGED CHRISTMAS PARTY AT DOWNING STREET LAST YEAR}