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A new covid-19 variant is spreading worldwide. The WHO named it Omicron, after a letter of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on the 9th of November. Then it was detected in South Africa and flagged as a "virus of concern". Cases were then reported in Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium. Epidemiologists warned that this new strain could be extremely infectious. It may be able to evade protections afforded us by current vaccines. Many countries have reinstated travel bans. Despite these, new cases have already been reported in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Scientists are analyzing Omicron for the dangers it might pose. They have found 50 genetic changes in the DNA in the spikes surrounding the crown of the virus. Vaccines focus on these spikes. Any changes in DNA could make the virus more virulent, transmissible and resistant against vaccines. It could take a few weeks to determine how effective our vaccines are. The White House warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases…it is ultimately going to go all over [the world]."
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