WHO says Omicron in 89 countries and spreading rapidly

Cases doubling every 1.5 to three days if there is community transmission but clinical severity of variant unknown

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The Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to three days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Omicron is spreading rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity, but it is unclear if this is due to the virus's ability to evade immunity, its inherent increased transmissibility or a combination of both, the WHO said in an update.