The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the Omicron COVID variant has now been detected in 57 countries, IgbereTV reports.
Omicron — labelled a “variant of concern” — was detected by South African authorities and subsequently reported to the WHO.
There are reports that the variant had been earlier detected in the Netherlands before the announcement by South Africa.
Following the discovery of the new variant, there have been concerns about its possible higher transmissibility due to the increase in COVID cases experienced in South Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday during a virtual media briefing, Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said certain features of Omicron, including its global spread and large number of mutations, suggest it could have a major impact on the course of the pandemic.
“Exactly what that impact will be is still difficult to know,” he said.
