Covid-19: the new threat of the Omicron variant worries the authorities and scientists

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FRANCE 2

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F. Bouquillat, J. Mimouni, N. Sadok – France 2

France Televisions

The spread of the Omicron variant around the world is of concern to authorities and the scientific community. Is this new strain of Covid-19 more contagious and more virulent than the previous ones?

The Omicron variant is the new threat looming for 72 hours. The cases are multiplying. Behind the walls of an Amsterdam hotel in the Netherlands, there are at least 13 carriers of this variant, among the 61 passengers who tested positive and quarantined on their return from southern Africa. In Europe, Omicron has been reported in Belgium, Germany, UK, Italy, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Denmark.


According to Olivier Véran, it is likely that the Omicron strain is already circulating in France. “There has not yet been an identification of this type of Omicron variant in the national territory, but it is very likely a matter of hours”, said the Minister of Health, Sunday, November 28. Its spread in South Africa, where it was first identified, appears to be very rapid.


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