The Delta variant of Covid has been a massive story for a while now, but on Friday World Health Organization announced the identify for a new, worrying variant: Omicron.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the new Omicron variant, which is reportedly spreading in South Africa.

A White House reliable says that @POTUS used to be briefed on the brand new variant circulating in Southern Africa. Past today the @WHO unique it a “variant of challenge” and dubbed it “Omicron.” #COVID19

— Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) November 26, 2021

In line with the WHO:

The B.1.1.529 variant used to be first pronounced to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three assorted peaks in suggested cases, the most recent of which was once predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The primary known confirmed B.1.1.529 an infection was from a specimen accrued on 9 November 2021.

This variant has a large number of mutations, a few of which can be concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as in comparison with different VOCs. The selection of cases of this variant seems to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to observe this variant. A couple of labs have indicated that for one extensively used PCR test, one of the crucial three target genes will not be detected (referred to as S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this take a look at can subsequently be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this manner, this variant has been detected at sooner charges than earlier surges in an infection, suggesting that this variant may have a increase advantage.

The WHO delivered, “Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their chance of COVID-19, including confirmed public health and social measures comparable to sporting well-becoming masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, making improvements to ventilation of indoor spaces, warding off crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.”

This variant has caused countries global to impose new restrictions on shuttle from southern Africa, reported The New York Occasions.

Omicron is the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet.

Watch above, by the use of MSNBC.

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