The horrific images of India's deadly second wave, which hit the country in April this year are still fresh in people's memory.

India details plan to combat omicron threat

The WHO's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan has said that while the new covid variant omicron appears to be very transmissible, the right response is to be prepared and not panic.

Omicron around the world

The WHO has confirmed that the omicron is quite transmissible, yet not so lethal. The reason seems to be in the similarity of the genetic material to the virus which causes the common cold.

Did omicron pick up common cold mutation?

Is Omicron really deadlier than the Delta variant? There is no scientific evidence to back this claim. Also, numbers show otherwise. Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Omicron cases spread to over 30 countries

A preliminary study by scientists in South African published on Thursday suggests the Omicron variant is three times more likely to cause reinfections than other variants like the Delta or Beta.

Initial study shows Omicron variant 3 times more likely to cause reinfections

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa slammed the western nations which have imposed travel bans on the country on fears of the new potentially highly-transmissible variant of COVID-19, Omicron.

South Africa President questions travel bans by western nations on fears of Omicron

Omicron was in Europe way before South Africa flagged it. Where did the new variant come from? Is banning flights from South Africa even helping? What should the World do? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: What the world can learn from the Omicron surge

Days after a new variant of COVID-19 was identified in southern Africa, at least 20 countries around the world have confirmed that they have found cases of it too. At least 70 countries and territories have imposed travel restrictions over the Omicron variant.

At least 20 countries confirm Omicron COVID-19 variant cases

The discovery of a new COVID-19 variant named Omicron triggered global alarm as countries rushed to suspend travel from southern Africa. A Bioinformatics Professor from Jerusalem, Michal Linial brings you an overview of the variant.

New COVID-19 variant Omicron triggers travel bans, restrictions

The new Omicron variant is spreading across the globe. Nations are shutting down borders and COVID-19 restrictions are returning. WION takes you where the news began as we report live from South Africa on the latest Omicron variant updates.

Countries ban travel from South Africa and other nations over Omicron COVID-19 variant

In response to the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron in southern Africa, the United States, Canada, Russia, and a host of other countries joined the European Union in restricting travel for visitors from that region.

Omicron variant sparks travel bans, South Africa faces backlash

The discovery of a new and potentially more transmissible coronavirus variant by South African health authorities has sparked a forceful reaction across the world. An epidemiologist from South Africa brings you an overview of the variant.

Omicron, a new COVID-19 variant sparks travel bans, worries scientists

The new Omicron variant is spreading across the globe. Nations are shutting down borders and COVID-19 restrictions are returning. WION takes you where the news goes as our correspondents track the latest Omicron variant updates across the globe.

WION Developing Story: Fears of Omicron variant looms over the world

WHO has skipped Greek letters 'Xi' & 'Nu' to name the new Wuhan Virus variant 'Omicron'. Was this a deliberate omission? What is the health body saying in its defence? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: WHO skips 'XI' & 'NU', names new variant 'Omicron'; How deadly is the new variant?

The World Health Organization has declared the recently-discovered B.1.1.529 strain of COVID-19, to be a variant of concern and renamed it Omicron. The variant was first detected in southern Africa. WION brings you some of the FAQs about this new strain.

What do we know about the Omicron variant?

WHO's Chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan has said that while the new COVID variant appears to be transmissible, the right response is to be prepared and not to panic.

WHO's Chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan asks people not to panic

Sri Lanka on Friday detected its first case of the newly found Omicron COVID-19 variant. According to reports, a Sri Lankan national who had returned from South Africa has tested positive for the virus.

First case of Omnicron COVID-19 variant detected in Sri Lanka

South Africa is being hit by the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the newly found Omicron variant. The Omicron variant has raised global fears of a surge in infections and has prompted governments across continents to impose travel curbs and take other measures to contain it.

South Africa reels under fourth COVID-19 wave, cases rise by 5 times in one week

The new Wuhan virus variant- Omicron is ringing alarm bells worldwide. Travel restrictions are back. New clusters have emerged outside Africa. There are doubts if existing vaccines will work. Palki Sharma bring you the 5 big developments.

Gravitas: New Wuhan Virus variant rings alarm bells worldwide

In an exclusive interview, WION's Kalden Ongmu spoke to South African Health Minister, Joe Phaahla. Phaahla said that the number of positive cases has risen sine the detection of the variant.

Exclusive: South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla speaks to WION

Two international travellers arriving in Sydney were contaminated with the developing Omicron strain, according to urgent genetic testing. "Both passengers came to Sydney from South Africa on the evening of Saturday, November 27.

Omicron variant in Australia: Two passengers from South Africa test positive for new COVID strain

South Africa claims it is being penalised rather than praised for finding Omicron, a potentially dangerous new variant of COVID-19. As facts about the spread surfaced, governments throughout the world banned travel from southern Africa, prompting the foreign ministry to issue the announcement.

Omicron: South Africa says it's being 'punished' for detecting new COVID-19 variant

Just days after being discovered in South Africa, the new possibly more infectious omicron strain of the coronavirus has appeared in additional European nations, sending governments around the world rushing to stem the spread.

World on alert as new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' spreads to more countries

Different parts of the world are facing different waves of the COVID-19 outbreak. At a time when countries were slowly lifting ban on international travel, a new variant has forced nations to pull their guards up yet again.

Decoding Omicron: The new variant of concern

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