The New Covid-19 Variant, Omicron

The emergence of a new, apparently more contagious COVID-19 virus variant first found in southern Africa has rattled markets, triggered travel bans and put vaccine makers on alert. The variant has already been detected not only in Africa but in Europe, North America and Asia.

To avoid public confusion and stigma,The Covid-19 variant that emerged in South Africa was named after the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.