Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Has Spread Across the Globe

While many countries instituted travel bans to control the transmission of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant, Omicron, including the United States, it has already made its way throughout the globe. The Omicron variant, which is thought to have originated in South Africa, has now been found in the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, and France. While no cases of Omicron have been formally reported in the US yet, public health officials surmise it is likely already here. Little is understood about the severity and transmissibility of this new variant. Its effects on patients in South Africa have been mostly mild; however, most of those infected are younger with few comorbidities. Click here to read more.