Hyderabad, Nov. 28 -- M Somasekhar

Nearly two years after its first confirmed reports, the SARS-COV-2 that has so faraffected 261, 398, 577 people and killed 5, 213, 544 continues to mutate and mount challenges to healthcare. The latest version named as Omicron, poses a more serious threat, warns the WHO.

The new variant has been detected in Africa. Reports indicate that it is spreading fast with Germany, Britain, Australia and Italy already confirming cases. The WHO has called for enhanced surveillance terming it a Variant of Concern (VoC). The original COVID-19 virus was first detected in China in December 2019.

The Omicron or B.1.1.529 variant was first found in Botswana. Then in quick succession in South Africa and Hong Kong. It is...