The finding of the Omicron variant in southern Africa has fueled suggestions that low vaccination rates foster viral mutations, which can subsequently spread to nations with greater vaccination rates.

Only one in 15 Africans fully vaccinated: Vaccine discrimination risks leaving Africa behind

South Africa reported a surge in COVID-19 cases as the Omicron variant continued to spread across the country. Health officials reported over 16,000 coronavirus cases with the total number of infections crossing three million.

Omicron spreads to more provinces in South Africa; Gauteng worst-hit

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

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

After Belgium, Germany on Saturday said it has discovered a new positive case resembling Omicron variant. Germany’s social affairs minister said that a traveller from South Africa was detected with similar mutations.

Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller, says German minister

Even as several countries and the WHO is on their toes over the emergence of a new coronavirus variant, Australia on Friday said it has no plans to restrict flights from South Africa, from where the new strain has surfaced.

Australia says borders to remain open to South Africa despite concerns over new Covid variant

As the world continues to battle with the pandemic, South Africa’s health minister has announced that two Covid variants of concern have been detected in the country.

South Africa detects COVID-19 variants first found in India, UK

A new preliminary study -- based on a small sample -- has suggested that people previously infected by the Covid-19 variant identified in South Africa may have better immunity against other coronavirus mutations, experts said Wednesday.

Study suggests South Africa variant could offer better immunity

US firm Moderna said on Wednesday that its new vaccine that targets South African variant of coronavirus is ready for testing. The company said that the doses have been shipped to US National Institutes of Health for testing.

Moderna COVID vaccine for South Africa variant ready for testing: Company

The Indian government has said it will test travellers from Brazil, South Africa and the UK after detecting new virus strains. Watch: "All the travellers arriving from/transiting through flights originating in United Kingdom, Europe or the Middle East shall be mandatorily subjected to self-paid confirmatory molecular tests on arrival," the Indian government said in a statement.

India to test Brazil, South Africa, UK travellers under new travel guidelines

South Africa has recorded the highest number of coronavirus infections and deaths on the African continent

South Africa to reopen 20 land border crossings next week

Johnson and Johnson on Friday said its single-dose vaccine was 72 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in the United States. But an effective lower rate of 66 per cent was observed globally in the large trial conducted across three continents and against multiple variants.

Johnson and Johnson says Covid vaccine 66% effective overall, less so against S African variant

The UK has secured 60 million doses of the jab, which will be made in Stockton-on-Tees in north-east England.

UK has secured 60 Mn doses of highly effective Novavax vaccine, PM Boris Johnson thanks trial volunteers