Omicron: everything you need to know about new Covid variant

Key questions answered about coronavirus variant first detected in southern AfricaCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe variant was initially referred to as B.1.1.529, but on Friday was designated as a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization because of its “concerning” mutations and because “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant”. The WHO system assigns such variants a Greek letter, to provide a non-stigmatising label that does not associate new variants with the location where they were first detecte d. The new variant has been called Omicron.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus Science South Africa Infectious diseases Medical research World news Vaccines and immunisation Health Source Type: news