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WHO warns of dangers from Omicron variant

Initial evidence shows the risk from the new variant is "very high" and could cause surges with severe consequences, the U.N. health agency said.

Skyline of South Africa's financial capital Johannesburg
Skyline of South Africa's financial capital Johannesburg (AN/Simon Hurry)

GENEVA (AN) — Initial evidence shows a new Omicron variant poses a "very high" public health risk that could lead to "future surges of COVID-19, which could have severe consequences," the U.N. health agency cautioned on Monday.

The World Health Organization's assessment in a technical paper to its 194 member nations came as more reported cases of the variant caused an increasing number of them to ban foreign travelers from southern Africa where it was first detected.

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