"Good reason to be worried" as Omicron COVID variant spreads fast
But South Africa, after quickly detecting and reporting the strain, feels punished for its sound science as other nations slam the door shut.
Omicron Variant
WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries
While investigations continue into the Omicron variant, WHO recommends that all countries "take a risk-based and scientific approach and put in place measures which can limit its possible spread."
Omicron variant sparks global concerns
CBS News national correspondent Mark Strassmann discusses growing concerns over the Omnicron variant of the coronavirus. These concerns are coinciding with a rising number of cases in the U.S. and soaring travel numbers over the holiday season. Also, John Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, sits down with CBSN's Lana Zak to answer pressing questions about this variant and how it could impact life in the U.S.
Omicron variant rings alarm bells around world
CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta reports from Johannesburg, South Africa, on the new variant.
Fauci warns of "potential" for new COVID-19 wave
Dr. Anthony Fauci says the U.S. could face a resurgence of virus cases without more intensive vaccination and booster efforts.
Public health experts warn of Omicron variant spread
CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassmann reports on the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.
Gottlieb says Omicron variant "almost definitely" already in U.S.
"We're in a much better place now than we were a year ago" with detecting cases of the Omicron variant, Gottlieb said.
COVID Omicron variant fuels global concerns
Global leaders are racing to contain a potentially more dangerous new coronavirus strain that was first discovered in South Africa. On Friday, the World Health Organization officially declared the Omicron strain a "variant of concern." CBS News foreign correspondent Debra Patta has more from Johannesburg on the increased precautionary measures some countries are taking to slow the spread of the virus, then Lana Zak speaks with Dr. Sujan Gogu, a physician who is part of the founding circle of Doctors in Politics, about the dangers of the Omicron variant.
Fauci says he "would not be surprised" if new COVID variant is in U.S.
"When you have a virus like this, it almost invariably is ultimately going to go essentially all over," Fauci said.
U.K. tightens COVID rules after 2 cases of new variant reported in Britain
The health secretary said the two people are self-isolating alongside their households while contact tracing and targeted testing takes place.
Omicron variant concerns
The world is racing to contain and understand a fast-spreading and potentially more dangerous variant of the coronavirus. On Friday, a World Health Organization panel named the variant Omicron, after it was first detected in South Africa. It has already been found in Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong. The news prompted a wave of new international travel restrictions, including in the United States. Debora Patta reports.
World scurries to contain new COVID "variant of concern"
A host of countries are imposing restrictions on southern African countries in response to warnings over the transmissibility of the new variant.
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