The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries and is spreading rapidly even in places with high levels of population immunity, the World Health Organisation said
The number of COVID-19 cases involving Omicron is doubling every 1.5 to 3 days in countries where there is community transmission of the variant and not just people who were infected abroad, WHO said.
Omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the Delta variant means it is likely to soon overtake Delta as the dominant variant in those countries, the UN health agency said. It remains unclear if the rapid growth of Omicron cases is because the variant evades existing immunity, is inherently more transmissible than previous variants, or a combination of both, WHO said.
Other major questions about Omicron remain unanswered, including how effective each of the existing COVID-19 vaccines are against it. Conclusive data also does not exist yet on how ill Omicron makes COVID-19 patients, the health agency said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Omicron cases found in 89 countries worldwideThe omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and COVID-19 cases involving the variant are doubling every 1.5 to three days in places with community transmission and not just infections acquired abroad, the World Health Organization said overnight.
Read more »
Omicron cases found in 89 countries worldwideThe omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and COVID-19 cases involving the variant are doubling every 1.5 to three days in places with community transmission and not just infections acquired abroad, the World Health Organization said overnight.
Read more »
Denmark to close cinemas, theatres and concert halls as COVID-19 cases surgeDenmark announced on Friday it would close cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and restrict restaurant opening hours over a record number of daily COVID-19 cases, accelerated by the Omicron variant.
Read more »
PM’s strong warning to premiersPrime Minister Scott Morrison says “we can’t go back to lockdowns” amid a record day of case numbers in NSW and an increasing threat of Omicron.
Read more »
Perrottet under pressure to backflip on COVID rules as Omicron surgesHealth experts are demanding Premier Dominic Perrottet reverse course and reintroduce mandatory mask-wearing for indoor environments as the Omicron variant takes hold in NSW
Read more »
NSW records 2566 new virus casesNSW has recorded 2566 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday as Omicron becomes the dominant variant in the state’s sudden surge in infection.
Read more »