The Omicron coronavirus variant, initially detected in South Africa and Botswana, was reported to be more contagious than other COVID strains. The new variant has already prompted additional pandemic restrictions in many countries.

There is significant evidence that the Omicron COVID-19 strain spreads faster than other variants and affects people who are vaccinated or have already had the coronavirus, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday.