Delhi: The global pandemic of the novel Corona Virus has been a global burden since 2020. A new variant of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 called B.1.1.529 or "Omicron" has been identified in South Africa, with officials predicting a higher mortality rate than the latter. WHO stated that South Africa reported a four-fold increase in new cases over the last two weeks, coinciding with the emergence of B.1.1.529. On Friday the new variant Omicron was designated as a "variant of concern". The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa has reported, "no unusual symptoms" have been reported following infection with the B.1.1.529 variant.

Source: Indian Express November 27, 2021 17:19 UTC