WHO: omicron strain COVID-19 found in 57 countries 
cases of infection with the omicron strain COVID-19 have been recorded. This is reported by TASS with reference to the WHO epidemiological bulletin.
According to the document, the number of coronavirus cases is rapidly increasing in Africa. The organization's experts associate this process with the spread of the omicron strain. It is also noted that, according to preliminary data, mutations present in the new variant of the virus can reduce the activity of antibodies and lead to a decrease in protection from the natural immunity of a person.
The WHO stressed that in order to judge the effectiveness of the available vaccines against omicron, additional information is needed.
Earlier, the head of the Yekaterinburg Research Institute of Viral Infections at the Vector Center of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare Alexander Semyonov spoke about faster pneumonia with the omicron strain of coronavirus. As the scientist explained, omicron, like the delta strain, is more trope, that is, it is capable of interacting with the epithelium of the lungs – the lower respiratory tract. Therefore, it descends faster into the lungs, causing pneumonia. “This is very disturbing,” he stated.