Prognosis
WHO Says New Strain Is a Variant of Concern, Names It Omicron
- Strain may present a greater risk of reinfection, WHO says
- Variant has a large number of mutations, some ‘concerning’
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The World Health Organization said that a strain of coronavirus recently discovered by South African researchers is a variant of concern, posing a threat that could confound countries’ efforts to slow the spread of Covid-19.
The WHO assigned the Greek letter omicron to the variant, which had been known as B.1.1.529, following a meeting by a panel of experts Friday.