![Omicron detected in 89 countries and cases are doubling fast, says World Health Organization](https://cbsnews2.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/12/18/0992e617-8d17-43ea-ad08-debfe988ee3f/thumbnail/1200x630/7d4e7aa41e0a5e045eb1a7d055821965/gettyimages-1237307477.jpg)
Omicron detected in 89 countries and cases are doubling fast, says World Health Organization
CBSN
The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and COVID-19 cases involving the variant are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days in places with community transmission and not just infections acquired abroad, the World Health Organization said Saturday.
Omicron's "substantial growth advantage" over the Delta variant means it is likely to soon overtake Delta as the dominant form of the virus in countries where the new variant is spreading locally, the U.N. 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.
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This story previously aired on Feb. 10, 2024. It was updated on Feb. 15, 2025. AMIE HARWICK (video): You can seek therapy to address an issue like depression, anxiety, a breakup. You can also seek therapy to be a better you! GARETH PURSEHOUSE (voicemail): I have so much I need to say. Please give me a chance to just say it. … Please (crying) please.
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