What to know about the omicron variant of the coronavirus
A new variant of the coronavirus that causes covid-19 is raising concern around the globe.
South Africa on Thursday confirmed that scientists there had detected a variant with a high number of mutations that could make it more easily transmissible. On Friday, the World Health Organization labeled it a “variant of concern,” a classification it has given to only four other variants so far. The global health agency also gave it a Greek letter designation: omicron.
Several countries, including the United States, moved to curb flights on Friday and Saturday from southern Africa, while epidemiologists began working to identify how far the variant may have already spread. Thus far, cases have been identified in a half-dozen nations, most but not all tied to recent travel to Africa.
Thus far, there is too little research to draw conclusions, with experts urging caution but not panic. Studies are underway to examine how vaccines hold up against the new variant, with some experts expressing initial optimism that they will offer protection. Officials in South Africa said most of those hospitalized had not gotten the shot.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/11/26/faq-new-variant-omicron/
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