As Omicron Spreads, Mixed Messages About How Dangerous It Can Be

Omicron Covid Variant: Scientists are scouring available data to try to predict omicron's impact as many questions about the new strain remain unanswered.

South Africa's surge in Covid-19 cases following the emergence of the omicron variant hasn't overwhelmed hospitals so far, prompting some cautious optimism that the new strain may cause mostly mild illness.

Initial data from South Africa, the epicenter of the outbreak of the omicron variant, are "a bit encouraging regarding the severity," Anthony Fauci, U.S. President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, said on Sunday. At the same time, he cautioned that it's too early to be definitive.

Scientists and public-health officials are scouring available data to try to predict omicron's impact as many questions about the new strain and its multiple mutations remain unanswered. The variant, now dominant in South Africa, has made its way from Tokyo to Oslo since its discovery was announced on Nov. 25.

The scramble for clarity has led to sometimes conflicting messages about how serious a threat omicron represents.