WHO: Omicron spreading across world at an unprecedented rate

Variant Probably In Most Countries, Says Tedros

Geneva: The WHO warned on Tuesday that the new coronavirus variant Omicron was spreading at an unprecedented rate and was likely already present in most countries around the world. Since the new variant was first detected in southern Africa last month, it has been reported in 77 countries, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. But, he stressed, “the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet.” “Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant,” he said. His comments came amid growing evidence that the new variant might also be better at skirting vaccine protections than previous ones, but could cause milder symptoms. But Tedros cautioned against “dismissing Omicron as mild”. “Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems.”