The new variant of COVID-19, omicron, is considered to be potentially concerning, according to the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, scientists say that it may manifest itself in cases of the virus that are less intense than what the delta variant causes.
Health officials in the US have confirmed four cases thus far of the omicron variant, three of which had been travelling within the United States only, and all four had been completely vaccinated.
In at least 30 states, coronavirus cases caused by this variant have been identified, beginning with three in the Baltimore area.
Omicron has become the most prominent variant of the virus in South Africa, which is one of the countries where it was first identified. Health officials say that within the span of a week omicron could become the major variant in multiple European countries as well.