According to the WHO, the variety might represent a bigger risk than the delta version, which was initially discovered in India and has been wreaking havoc throughout the world.
Early evidence on the variant, previously known by the technical term B.1.1.529, has shown an increased risk of reinfection compared to other highly transmissible variants, indicating that people who contracted Covid and recovered may be more susceptible to catching it again with Omicron, according to the UN health agency.
GENEVA: The World Health Organization's advisory
group designated the concerning new Covid variety discovered in South Africa as
a highly transmissible virus of concern on Friday, giving it the Greek letter
Omicron.
According to the WHO, the variety might represent a bigger risk than the delta version, which was initially discovered in India and has been wreaking havoc throughout the world.
The WHO's declaration is the first in months that a Covid
variation has been identified as a highly-transmissible variant of concern. The
categorization also applies to delta, which has grown to be the most common
variety on the planet.