The omicron variant – a new strain of the coronavirus – has raised concern worldwide about a surge of infections should it prove to be vaccine-resistant. Though details are still emerging, omicron's rapid spread from South Africa to Europe and beyond has researchers wondering if it will be as bad or worse than the delta variant. Delta was first identified in India in 2020 and accounts for 99% of recent COVID-19 cases in the USA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It probably will be a few weeks before we learn how serious omicron is, but there are a few things we do know. Omicron was officially identified Nov. 25 in South Africa and has been confirmed in Canada, Britain, Germany, Israel, Australia and other countries. No cases have been found in the USA, according to the CDC. U.S. labs are preparing for omicron. It will be identified quickly if it appears here, the CDC says. Monday, President Joe Biden cautioned that the variant was a “cause for concern, not a cause for panic," and he asked Americans to get vaccinations or boosters and wear masks in public places. The World Health Organization warned the "likelihood of potential further spread of omicron at the global level is high," which could result in "severe consequences." For more information, click the link in our bio. #covid19 #omicron