Since the discovery of the Omicron variant in the Covid-19 virus, half a million deaths have been reported, according to the World Health Organization calling the toll "beyond tragic".

'Beyond tragic': WHO reports 130 million cases and 500,000 deaths linked to Omicron

As the Omicron variant takes hold worldwide, the World Health Organisation(WHO) said that "no country can boost its way out of the pandemic". "Boosters cannot be seen as a ticket to go ahead with planned celebrations, without the need for other precautions," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Boosters cannot be seen as a ticket to go ahead, says WHO chief Tedros amid Omicron threat

UK's health secretary Sajid Javid informed parliament today that the government will be lifting its "red list" imposed on 11 African countries amid community transmission of Omicron in the UK.

'Red list is less effective': UK to lift travel ban on 11 African countries

UK PM Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday that at least one person had died due to the Omicron variant in the country. On Sunday, the UK government had informed patients with the Omicron variant were being hospitalised.

At least one patient confirmed dead due to Omicron, says UK PM Boris Johnson