New strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, known as B.1.1.529, has been labeled the Omicron variant by the World Health Organization and classified as a variant of concern.
The World Health Organization found out about B.1.1.529 on Nov. 24 and within two days labeled it Omicron and designated it a variant of concern.
This is what we know so far about this new variation on the SARS-CoV-2 virus:
The variant known scientifically as B.1.1.529 was little known to the public until November 24, when South African officials reported it to the WHO. It took the organization just two days to elevate its profile and status substantially.
This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other” variants of concern, the organization said in a statement Friday.
“(This) variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.”
As of the evening of Nov. 26, the variant has so far been detected in South Africa, Israel, Hong Kong, Belgium and the Netherlands. (Dutch state broadcaster NOS reported that in one sample of passengers from two quarantined flights out of South Africa, nearly 14% tested positive for some version of the coronavirus.)
Media reports indicated that the case in Belgium was an unvaccinated person who had traveled from Egypt, but one Israeli case was reported to be someone who’d had three doses of vaccine, the last one just two months ago.
