Omicron Is Spreading Faster <br />Than Any Other Variant, , WHO Director Warns.<br />The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, made the comments during a Dec. 14 press conference.<br />He stressed that while the Omicron variant has been detected in at least 17 countries, .<br />the actual extent of infections is likely <br />much more widespread.<br />The reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn't been detected yet, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, <br />WHO Director-General, via CNN.<br />Omicron was first detected in South Africa.<br />Ghebreyesus also expressed concern that mobilization against the variant has been hampered by reports that Omicron causes milder symptoms.<br />We're concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild. , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, <br />WHO Director-General, via CNN.<br />Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, <br />WHO Director-General, via CNN.<br />He also reiterated that health systems <br />all over the world remain at risk <br />of being overwhelmed.<br />Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared <br />health systems, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, <br />WHO Director-General, via CNN.<br />Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed hope that the variant does indeed cause a milder disease, .<br />but maintained that because the strain is in its early stages in the U.S., it is too soon to tell how it will unfold.<br />Whatever it is, the disease seems to be less severe, whether it's inherently less pathogenic as <br />a virus, ... , Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director, via CNN.<br />... or whether there's more protection in the community, we're just going to have to see when it comes in the <br />United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director, via CNN
