The Omicron variant is a variant of the COVID-19 virus. The Omicron variant is the common name used to refer to what is technically known as the B.1.1.529 variant.
A variant of a virus is a new strain that has emerged due to a mutation (or mutations) in the virus’s genetic structure.
The new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, was present in the Netherlands earlier than previously thought.
According to officials from WHO, it was identified in two test samples taken in the country between 19 and 23 November, which is before the variant was first reported by South Africa.
It is not clear whether those who took the tests had visited southern Africa. It was previously thought that two flights that arrived from South Africa on Sunday had brought the first cases of the variant to the Netherlands.
Symptoms of the Omicron variant
The most common symptoms for the new COVID Variant (Omicron) are fever, cough, tiredness, and loss of taste or smell.
