Forbes - What we know about the Omicron variant

Plus: Winter’s potential “twindemic”

Last Friday, the World Health Organization assigned the name “omicron” to a new coronavirus variant, which is highly mutated in its spike protein. The news sparked initial shockwaves through global markets and many governments implemented new travel bans or new advisories around masks. The variant was first detected in South Africa, but cases have since been identified around the world, making it difficult to pinpoint its precise origins. So far, though, not a lot is known about the new variant, writes infectious disease expert John Drake. However, examinations of its genomic sequence indicate a potential for being more resistant to vaccines and antibodies as well as having mutations in a site associated with increased transmissibility of the virus. 

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More Covid News

The stock market rebounded from its biggest selloff of the year on Friday as investors reassessed the Covid omicron variant’s potential impact on markets following optimistic comments from President Joe Biden.

Ten states will no longer have to comply with the federal Covid-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers as a court issued an injunction that temporarily blocks the controversial policy in those states.

The United Kingdom’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation announced a number of new measures today, including expanding Covid vaccine booster shot eligibility to all adults.

The International Air Transport Association — the trade association representing the vast majority of the world’s airlines — is recommending that the validity of the European Union Digital Covid Certificate be extended to 12 months instead of nine.

The federal government will not suspend or terminate employees for violating its Covid-19 vaccine mandate until January, the Biden Administration said, as the vaccination rate for federal workers hovers at 92%.

What Else We Are Reading

• Victories against AIDS have lessons for COVID-19 (Nature)

• The COVID Cancer Effect (Scientific American)

• Quarantine hotel escapees arrested in Netherlands as Europe enforces new covid measures (Washington Post)