Boris Johnson has refused to rule out further restrictions being introduced as he confirmed at least one person in the UK has died with the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Speaking during a visit to a vaccination clinic near Paddington in west London, the Prime Minister said: "Sadly, yes, Omicron is producing hospitalisations and sadly at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with Omicron.
"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."
READ MORE: Unusual Omicron symptom common in many of those infected by the variant
But the Prime Minister repeatedly declined to rule out further coronavirus restrictions being introduced ahead of Christmas as the Omicron variant spikes, as he said the goal is to "offer a booster" to every adult by the end of the year.
He said: "Throughout the pandemic 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.
"We think the steps that we are taking - so Plan B, combined with a hugely ambitious acceleration of the booster campaign, bringing it forward by a month so we offer a booster to every adult by the end of the year - we think that's the right approach."
It came after Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the Government will "throw everything at" the Covid booster programme to tackle Omicron.
GPs will only focus on urgent needs and vaccinations for the next few weeks.
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