| − | '''Omicron variant''',<ref>Da Silva, Chantal (November 26, 2021). [https://news.yahoo.com/names-variant-concern-omicron-scientists-184937931.html WHO names new variant of concern 'omicron,' as scientists advise caution]. ''NBC News'' via ''Yahoo''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> also known as '''B.1.1.529''',<ref>Tidey, Alice (November 27, 2021). [https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/26/who-labels-new-covid-19-variant-of-concern-names-it-omicron WHO labels new COVID-19 variant 'of concern', names it Omicron]. ''Euronews''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> is a strain of [[SARS-CoV-2]]<ref name=forbesinfo>Drake, John (November 28, 2021). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/johndrake/2021/11/28/what-we-know-about-the-omicron-variant/?sh=9ea642e358d5 What We Know About The Omicron Variant]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> first discovered in [[South Africa]] in late November 2021 with reported cases in several other countries. Currently, reportedly little is known about the mutations comprising Omicron.<ref name=wapoinfo>Berger, Miriam (November 28, 2021). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/11/28/coronavirus-genetic-sequence-south-africa-variant-omicron/ South Africa, which found the omicron variant first, sequences less than 1 percent of coronavirus samples]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> As of Jan. 1, 2022, the [[CDC]] asserted that 95% of new [[COVID-19]] cases were due to the Omicron variant. | + | '''Omicron variant''',<ref>Da Silva, Chantal (November 26, 2021). [https://news.yahoo.com/names-variant-concern-omicron-scientists-184937931.html WHO names new variant of concern 'omicron,' as scientists advise caution]. ''NBC News'' via ''Yahoo''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> also known as '''B.1.1.529''',<ref>Tidey, Alice (November 27, 2021). [https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/26/who-labels-new-covid-19-variant-of-concern-names-it-omicron WHO labels new COVID-19 variant 'of concern', names it Omicron]. ''Euronews''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> is a strain of [[SARS-CoV-2]]<ref name=forbesinfo>Drake, John (November 28, 2021). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/johndrake/2021/11/28/what-we-know-about-the-omicron-variant/?sh=9ea642e358d5 What We Know About The Omicron Variant]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> first discovered in [[South Africa]] in late November 2021 with reported cases in several other countries. Currently, reportedly little is known about the mutations comprising Omicron.<ref name=wapoinfo>Berger, Miriam (November 28, 2021). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/11/28/coronavirus-genetic-sequence-south-africa-variant-omicron/ South Africa, which found the omicron variant first, sequences less than 1 percent of coronavirus samples]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref> As of Jan. 1, 2022, the [[CDC]] asserted that 95% of new [[COVID-19]] cases were due to the Omicron variant. It is unclear in early January 2022 if the [[COVID vaccine]] has effectiveness against this variant. |
| | Several countries have banned travel with South Africa, prompting sharp criticisms due to the fact that scientists in South Africa had discovered the variant with advanced genome sequencing; the nation's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation responded:<ref name=wapoinfo/> | | Several countries have banned travel with South Africa, prompting sharp criticisms due to the fact that scientists in South Africa had discovered the variant with advanced genome sequencing; the nation's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation responded:<ref name=wapoinfo/> |