Omicron: What we know about the newest COVID variant of concern

Omicron was first reported in South Africa on 24 November 2021 and is quickly becoming the dominant variant there. It has also been detected in several other countries, including Australia. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Omicron to be a COVID-19 variant of concern based on preliminary evidence that it spreads quickly. A variant of concern is one that may change how the pandemic behaves, so the WHO pays close attention to it. Dr Pavithra Venkatagopalan, who has done her PhD in virology, specialising in Coronavirus explains more about Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Source: Getty, Dr Pavithra Venkatagopalan

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