New COVID Variant Dubbed 'Omicron' by WHO, Classified as 'Variant of Concern'

A COVID-19 variant first discovered in South Africa has been dubbed "omicron" and classified a "variant of concern," the most worrying type by the World Health Organization and one of the first indicators that it is worth consideration as an increased threat.

Experts with the World Health Organization met Friday to assess the variant that has been rapidly spreading among young people and has already spawned numerous mutations.

The U.S. will restrict travel from South Africa, as well as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi, according to a statement from senior officials from the Biden administration. The policy does not apply to American citizens and permanent residents.

 

"The policy was implemented out of an abundance of caution in light of a new COVID-19 variant circulating in Southern Africa.," according to the statement. "...Our scientists and public health officials are working quickly to learn more about this variant."

Infection rates in South Africa have "increased steeply," coinciding with the detection of the variant, according to a Friday statement from the WHO. The first omicron case was reported to the agency from South Africa on Nov. 24, and the number of cases of the variant are increasing in almost all South African provinces, the WHO said.

Omicron has a large number of mutations, and preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection with this variant for people who have already been infected with other variants of the virus, the agency added.

The WHO urged countries to increase surveillance of omicron cases and genome sequencing efforts to better understand its potential impact.

The new variant has also been found in Botswana and Hong Kong in travelers from South Africa, according to Joe Phaahla, the nation's health minister. Phaahla said the variant has seen rapid spread in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.

Several nations, including Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Japan, have responded to news of the variant by moving Friday to restrict air travel from several southern African countries. The European Union, which is made up of 27 nations, is also recommending a ban on flights from southern African countries, despite WHO officials warning against rash decisions.

Even though some of the genetic changes appear worrisome, it was unclear if the new variant would pose a significant public health threat. Some previous variants, like the beta variant, initially concerned scientists but did not spread very far.

November 26, 2021