The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated the new COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.529) as a VOC named Omicron, describing it as a virus of concern. This was based on the recommendation by the technical advisory group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE), an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus, said WHO. The WHO in a statement said TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529. “The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant.

Source: Nigerian Tribune November 28, 2021 17:12 UTC