new variant of covid-19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide. The WHO named mutation Omicron, after letter of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on 9th of November. Two weeks later, it was detected in South Africa and flagged as "virus of concern". Soon after this, cases were reported in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have warned that this new strain could be extremely infectious. They also said it may be able to evade protections afforded us by current vaccines. This has led to countries reinstating travel bans. Despite these, new cases have already been reported in UK, Germany and Czech Republic.
Scientists are currently analyzing Omicron to assess the dangers it might pose. They have detected 50 genetic changes in DNA that affects spikes surrounding crown of the virus. Current vaccines focus on these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make virus more virulent, more transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take few weeks to determine how effective our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's chief medical adviser has warned that: "When you have virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases...it almost invariably is ultimately going to go all over [ world]."
