New Covid-19 variant named Omicron

There is a new Covid-19 variant called Omicron that is causing major concerns around the world. Its formal name is B.1.1.529.

The variant was first detected in South Africa. Several European and Asian countries and Canada and the U.S. are now placing new travel bans on travelers from South Africa and seven other neighboring or nearby countries. The ban will not apply to American citizens or permanent residents (green card holders).

President Biden said the new bans are a precaution and based on recommendations from U.S. government medical experts and the Covid-19 Response Team.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said today that there are no signs that Omicron is in the U.S., but anything is possible because there is a lot of travel. Fauci also said he doesn’t know how serious the variant is yet, on if it can get around vaccines or if it is more transmissible.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Omicron is a “variant of concern” because it has a large number of mutations and that early evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection.

President Biden said that this news about Omicron is a reminder to the world community that this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations. Biden said the U.S. has already donated more vaccines to other countries than every other country combined, and that it is time for other countries to match our speed and generosity.

So that’s the updates for now with Omicron.

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https://www.axios.com/us-travel-restrictions-new-covid-variant-omicron-6f4a1949-363e-4d64-9590-613ff8dcd193.html

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/live-updates/coronavirus/?id=81323456