Omicron: Global alarm over Omicron virus variant

Travel restrictions as new Omicron variant spreads

The world has a new COVID-19 "variant of concern." There's growing global alarm over B.1.1.529 variant. It was first identified on Nov. 23 in South Africa and is believed to be behind a sudden surge in cases.

The B.1.1.529 variant has been given the name Omicron. It is said to be the most heavily mutated version of the novel coronavirus we have seen so far. 

About 30 mutations have been identified in the spike protein-about twice as many as the Delta variant. The mutations could make Omicron more transmissible and it's unknown if it will prove more deadly than the previous variants. 

The mutations make the spike protein significantly different than the original version of the virus that vaccines were based on. And it will take weeks to determine whether vaccines are effective against it. 

The international response has been swift. Many countries have shut down air travel from South Africa itself. The bans also extend to other Southern African nations including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. 

Omicron has moved quickly, now countries around the world are racing to get ahead of it. Banning flights from the region where the variant was first discovered. South Africans suddenly find themselves cut-off from the world. 

Israel and the United Kingdom were among the first countries to implement a travel ban for South Africa. Since the UK announced its travel ban many other countries have followed suit. 

As quickly as the travel restrictions were announced, they are more likely to slow down rather than completely stop the spread of Omicron. HongKong, Israel, and Belgium have already confirmed cases. 

COVID-19 has infected almost 260 million people and killed 5.4 million since the beginning of the pandemic. The world has made progress in the fight against the coronavirus but the new variant shows that the battle is far from won. The message for now for many officials is get the vaccine, get the booster, and follow public health regulations.