Omicron triggers fears about fresh outbreaks, here’s all you should know about new COVID variant

The emergence of this new COVID variant has triggered fears about fresh outbreaks around the world even as cases are rising in Europe. Some of the countries including the UK, Israel and America have imposed curbs on travel from affected African countries. Others have scaled up their screening of incoming passengers from these countries.

NEW DELHI: There is a global concern and widespread alarm at the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has called 'Omicron'. The emergence of this new COVID variant has triggered fears about fresh outbreaks around the world even as cases are rising in Europe.

Some of the countries including the UK, Israel and America have imposed curbs on travel from affected African countries. Others have scaled up their screening of incoming passengers from these countries.

The WHO has classified Omicron as a 'variant of concern' because it has a wide range of mutations. This suggests vaccines and treatments could be less effective. Although it's too early, Omicron appears to be able to reinfect people more easily than other strains. WHO said that it may take weeks to understand the new variant.