The classification puts Omicron into the most-troubling category of COVID-19 variants, along with the globally-dominant Delta, plus its weaker rivals Alpha, Beta and Gamma. It appears to be increasing in almost all of South Africa's provinces, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel. How has the world responded?
And you can keep abreast of the latest information about the corona virus in your language at sbs.com.au/coronavirus