OMICRON SPREADING FASTER THAN ANY OTHER VARIANT

Compared to other variants, the omicron variant is spreading at a rate faster than anything seen before.

That is according to the World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He has warned that the tendency to dismiss it as mild is concerning.

CNN reports that while data, especially from South Africa, suggests omicron might be using milder symptoms than previous variants, public health experts stress it’s too early to make firm conclusions.

At a news conference, Tedros revealed that the latest COVID-19 variant has been detected in 77 countries by now.

“The reality is that omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet,” he added.

Omicron was first detected by South African scientists. The detection led to many countries banning flights from and to South Africa. Several countries have now reopened their borders for South Africa, but travellers are still required to isolate upon arrival.

Image credit: World Health Organisation