A new variant of the covid-19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide. The WHO named the mutation Omicron, after a letter of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on the 9th of November. Two weeks later, it was detected in South Africa and  flagged as a "virus of concern". Soon after this, cases were reported in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have warned that this new strain could be extremely infections. They also said it may be able to evade protections afforded us by current vaccines. This has led to countries Germany and the Czech Republic.

Scientists are currently analyzing Omicron to assess the danger it might pose. They have detected 50 genetic changes in the DNA that affects the spikes surrounding the crown of the virus. Current vaccines focus on these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the virus more virulent, more transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take a few weeks to determine how effective our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's chief medical adviser has warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases... it almost invariably is ultimately going to go all over [the world]."

mutation ﾆｭ-テｲｼｮﾝ n)変化、変形

Omicron　オ-ﾐｸﾛﾝ 　英)ｵｳマｲｸﾛﾝ　ギリシャ語アルファベット第15字