The Omicron coronavirus variety, which has been detected in more than 60 countries, poses a “very high” global risk, according to the World Health Organisation, with some indication that it evades vaccine protection but limited clinical data on its severity.
The WHO noted in a technical brief issued on Sunday that there are significant concerns surrounding Omicron, which was initially found last month in southern Africa and Hong Kong, and whose mutations may lead to increased transmissibility and more cases of COVID-19 disease.
