WHO Expresses Concern About New “Omicron” Variant

The Washington Post reports:

A new, possibly more infectious coronavirus variant, with an unusual number of mutations, had scientists sounding the alarm, countries moving to impose travel bans and financial markets tumbling on Friday, as the world feared another setback on the long road out of the pandemic.

The World Health Organization declared the new strain a “variant of concern” after a full-day review by the group’s scientists on Friday and dubbed it the “Omicron” variant, named for a Greek letter.

“This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning,” the WHO said in a statement Friday afternoon. “Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other” variants of concern.

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Announcement of new virus variant alarms world, as stocks crash and flights are banned https://t.co/dU4tIWggpL

— Molly Beck (@MollyBeck) November 26, 2021