Timeline of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

South African scientists begin seeing samples where PCR tests have S-gene target failure (which occurs in a few variants, but not in Delta which had by far dominated in the country in October), alerting them to a change in epidemiology.{{cite news|last=Cowan|first=Kyle|date=29 November 2021|title=Inside SA leg of Omicron variant discovery: A single test result, a missing gene, and an email|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/investigations/covid19/inside-sa-leg-of-omicron-variant-discovery-a-single-test-result-a-missing-gene-and-an-email-20211128|publisher=News24|access-date=2 December 2021}}

The first confirmed sample of what would eventually be named the Omicron variant by the World Health Organization (WHO) is collected in South Africa.{{cite news|title=Omicron becomes dominant variant in South Africa|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/02/coronavirus-news-live-south-africa-sees-exponential-increase-in-covid-cases-dominated-by-omicron-variant?page=with:block-61a8197e8f08988db2bebd49#block-61a8197e8f08988db2bebd49|date=2 December 2021|work=The Guardian|access-date=2 December 2021}}{{cite web |title=SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Update 1 December 2021 |url=https://www.nicd.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Update-of-SA-sequencing-data-from-GISAID-1-Dec-Final.pdf#page=20 | publisher=South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases | access-date=2 December 2021 }}{{cite web |title=Tracking of Variants |url=https://www.gisaid.org/hcov19-variants/ |publisher=GISAID |access-date=2 December 2021 }}

Other samples of the Omicron variant are collected in Botswana by South African scientists{{Cite journal|last=Callaway|first=Ewen|date=25 November 2021|title=Heavily mutated coronavirus variant puts scientists on alert|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03552-w|journal=Nature|volume=600|issue=7887|page=21|language=en | doi=10.1038/d41586-021-03552-w|pmid=34824381|s2cid=244660616|bibcode=2021Natur.600...21C}}{{cite news |title=Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern |url=https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern |access-date=26 November 2021 |publisher=World Health Organization |date=26 November 2021}} under the aegis of Network for Genomic Surveillance South Africa (NGS-SA).

More than 70 percent of sequenced samples from Gauteng province in South Africa are Omicron, indicating that it already has become the dominant variant in the province.{{cite news|last=Whiteside|first=Philip|date=30 November 2021|title=COVID-19: How the spread of Omicron went from patient zero to all around the globe|url=https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-how-the-spread-of-omicron-went-from-patient-zero-to-all-around-the-globe-12482183|publisher=SkyNews|access-date=1 December 2021}}

South Africa makes its first report of B.1.1.529 (as it is scientifically known) to WHO, based on samples that had been collected from 14 to 16 November.{{cite news|last=Vaughan|first=Adam|date=27 November 2021|title=Omicron: How dangerous is the new variant first found in South Africa?|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2299194-omicron-how-dangerous-is-the-new-variant-first-found-in-south-africa/|publisher=NewScientist|access-date=1 December 2021}}

The variation first comes to public notice{{cite news |title=New Covid variant: How worried should we be? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-59418127 |date=25 November 2021 |work=BBC News |access-date=25 November 2021}} at a virtual press conference called by the Health Department of South Africa. Richard Lessells, an infectious-diseases physician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal,{{cite web |title=Richard Lessells - Google Scholar |url=https://scholar.google.com.br/citations?hl=en&user=EarEBQkAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate |website=scholar.google.com |access-date=14 December 2021}} remarked that "There's a lot we don't understand about this variant... The mutation profile gives us concern, but now we need to do the work to understand the significance of this variant and what it means for the response to the pandemic." Professor Penny Moore, a virologist at the University of the Witwatersrand{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/profiles/penny-moore-209049|title=Penny Moore|website=The Conversation|date=26 November 2015 }} said of the pace of this research that "we're flying at warp speed". At this point there are 87 cases in five countries and an estimated 990 probable cases, with the most confirmed cases in South Africa at 77.{{cite web|url=https://www.precisionvaccinations.com/87-omicron-covid-19-variant-concern-cases-confirmed|title=87 Omicron COVID-19 Variant of Concern Cases Confirmed|website=precisionvaccinations.com}}

On 26 November at an emergency meeting in Geneva, Switzerland WHO's Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution designated PANGO lineage B.1.1.529 a variant of concern (VOC) and gave it the designation Omicron (skipping Nu and Xi, the next letters in the Greek alphabet in keeping with its nomenclature protocol introduced for the Delta variant).{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-variants-alphabet-idUSL1N2SI07K|title=Fact Check-WHO skipped letters of Greek alphabet while naming COVID-19 variant Omicron|newspaper=Reuters|date=November 27, 2021}}{{cite tweet |author=World Health Organization (WHO) |author-link=World Health Organization (WHO) |user=WHO |number=1464295764809637898 |date=26 November 2021 |title=The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution met today to review what is known about the #COVID19 variant B.1.1.529. They advised WHO that it should be designated a Variant of Concern. WHO has named it Omicron, in line with naming protocols https://t.co/bSbVas9yds https://t.co/Gev1zIt1Ek |language=en |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128034548/https://twitter.com/who/status/1464295764809637898 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Parekh|first1=Marcus|last2=Platt|first2=Poppie|last3=Team|first3=Global Health Security|last4=Barnes|first4=Joe|date=26 November 2021|title=Coronavirus latest news: EU suspends all flights to southern Africa over omicron Covid variant fears|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/covid-new-south-african-variant-strain-lockdown-restrictions/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/covid-new-south-african-variant-strain-lockdown-restrictions/ |archive-date=2022-01-11 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=26 November 2021|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}} At this point there are 96 confirmed cases worldwide in South Africa, Botswana,{{cite web|url=https://www.gisaid.org/hcov19-variants/|title=GISAID - hCov19 Variants|website=gisaid.org}} England,{{cite tweet |last=Javid |first=Sajid |author-link=Sajid Javid |user=sajidjavid |number=1464594748795146240 |date=27 November 2021 |title=We have been made aware by @UKHSA of two UK cases of the Omicron variant. The two cases are linked and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa. These individuals are self-isolating with their households while further testing and contact tracing is underway. |language=en |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128050211/https://twitter.com/sajidjavid/status/1464594748795146240 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |url-status=live}} Hong Kong,{{cite web|url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202111/25/P2021112500379.htm|title=CHP investigates six additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 and provides update on latest investigations on imported cases 12388 and 12404|website=info.gov.hk}} Italy,{{cite web|url=https://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/11/27/news/covid_un_caso_sospetto_di_variante_omicron_in_campania_isolati_tutti_i_contatti-328069867/|title=Covid, un caso di variante Omicron in Campania: isolati tutti i contatti|date=November 27, 2021|website=la Repubblica}} Israel,{{cite web|url=https://t.me/MOHreport|title=קורונה - משרד הבריאות|website=Telegram}} and Belgium,{{cite web |title=Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Belgium (Situation update – 26 of November 2021) |url=https://assets.uzleuven.be/files/2021-11/genomic_surveillance_update_211126.pdf |access-date=14 December 2021 |date=26 November 2021}} and 2 probable cases in Germany{{cite web|url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/2-verdachtsfaelle-der-neuen-omicron-variante-in-bayern-bestaetigt-rueckkehrer-aus/|title=2 Verdachtsfälle der neuen Omicron-Variante in Bayern bestätigt - Rückkehrer aus Südafrika sollen PCR-Test durchführen lassen, in Selbstquarantäne begeben und das Gesundheitsamt kontaktieren|date=November 27, 2021}} and 1 in Czech Republic.{{cite tweet |last=Babiš |first=Andrej |author-link=Andrej Babiš |user=AndrejBabis |number=1464550206280806404 |date=27 November 2021 |title=Dovolím si korigovat média. Paní, která byla testovaná na novou mutaci, NEBYLA v Egyptě, ale na pobytu v Namibii a letěla zpět do ČR přes JAR a Dubaj. Výsledek jejího testu očekáváme, je teď v izolaci a trasují se všechny kontakty. |language=cs |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127133727/https://twitter.com/AndrejBabis/status/1464550206280806404 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://bnonews.com/index.php/2021/11/omicron-tracker/|title=Tracking COVID-19 variant Omicron|website=BNO News|date=November 26, 2021}}

The first two cases in the United Kingdom are announced. Additionally it was announced via Twitter that Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola were to be added to the UK's Red List as of Sunday at 4:00 a.m. GMT{{cite news |last=Goillandeau |first=Martin |title=2 cases of Omicron variant detected in the UK, health secretary says |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-covid-variant-south-africa-11-27-21/h_afce3d0977ea4c59ce791f1af08b57ce |website=CNN |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128161718/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-covid-variant-south-africa-11-27-21/h_afce3d0977ea4c59ce791f1af08b57ce |archive-date=28 November 2021 |language=en |date=27 November 2021 |url-status=live}} genomic sequencing having been performed overnight, thus joining South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/27/boris-johnson-tightens-rules-on-travel-and-mask-wearing-over-omicron-concerns|title=Boris Johnson tightens rules on travel and mask-wearing over Omicron concerns|date=November 27, 2021|website=The Guardian}} Furthermore, Switzerland adds the UK to its "at risk" list along with other countries with cases.{{cite tweet |author=Swiss Embassy UK |user=SwissEmbassyUK |number=1464650292323049472 |date=27 November 2021 |title=UPDATE - The UK has been added to Switzerland's risk country list. When boarding a plane and entering Switzerland, all persons travelling from the UK must present a negative COVID-19 test and quarantine for 10 days. Further information will follow on https://t.co/2BBu56C1mp https://t.co/x7i42O9vAU |language=en |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127211337/https://twitter.com/swissembassyuk/status/1464650292323049472 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |url-status=live}}

Two Danish returnees from South Africa test positive,{{cite news |title=Omicron coronavirus variant spreads with cases detected in Netherlands, Denmark, Australia |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/28/netherlands-australia-find-omicron-variant-cases-as-travel-restrictions-spread.html |access-date=1 December 2021 |work=CNBC |agency=Reuters |date=28 November 2021 |language=en}} and another two people with recent travel in Nigeria test positive in Ottawa, Canada. A third case is detected in the UK, but the individual concerned, who had traveled from southern Africa, is no longer in the country, instigating high-level contact tracing.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59453744|title=Covid: Third case of Omicron variant detected in the UK|work=BBC News|date=28 November 2021|access-date=28 November 2021}}

Israel bans entry to all foreign nationals and puts travel to fifty African countries on its red list. Morocco closes its borders for two weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/28/coronavirus-new-restrictions-omicron-israel|title=Israel seals borders and Morocco bans flights as Omicron Covid fears rise|date=November 28, 2021|website=The Guardian}}

{{cite news |last1=Paas-Lang |first1=Christian |title=Canada's first cases of the omicron coronavirus variant confirmed in Ottawa |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/omicron-variant-canada-travellers-1.6265927 |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=CBC News |date=28 November 2021}}

The first 13 cases are identified among 61 SARS-CoV-2 cases from two flights{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/omicron-how-two-flights-to-europe-may-have-spurred-spread-of-new-covid-variant/articleshow/88022331.cms|title=Omicron: How two flights to Europe may have spurred spread of new Covid variant|newspaper=The Economic Times}} from South Africa to The Netherlands on November 26; the passengers involved, numbering approximately 624, were in mid-flight when EU restrictions were imposed.{{cite tweet |last=Feigl-Ding |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Feigl-Ding |user=DrEricDing |number=1464938133649346561 |date=28 November 2021 |title=BREAKING—13 #Omicron variant cases now confirmed from 61 #COVID19 cases among ~600 passengers on two flights from South Africa to Amsterdam 🇳🇱(that took off and was mid-air when EU travel limits added). Dutch government warns there will likely be more. https://t.co/K6XSGcnn9h https://t.co/CjMFccNmwT |language=en |access-date=28 November 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59451103|title=Covid: 13 test positive for Omicron after S Africa-Netherlands flights|work=BBC News|date=November 28, 2021}} Five additional cases among these passengers were confirmed a week later.{{cite web|date=4 December 2021|title=Actuele informatie over COVID-19 {{!}} RIVM|url=https://www.rivm.nl/coronavirus-covid-19/actueel|access-date=2021-12-06|website=rivm.nl|language=nl}}

Two cases were detected in Sydney, Australia. Both people had landed in Sydney the previous day, and had traveled from southern Africa to Sydney via Doha, Qatar. The two people, who were fully vaccinated, entered isolation; 12 other travelers from southern Africa also entered quarantine for fourteen days, while about 260 other passengers and crew on the flight have been directed to isolate.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-28/tavellers-test-positive-omicron-covid-sydney/100657076 |title=Travellers test positive to Omicron COVID-19 strain after arriving in Sydney from southern Africa, NSW Health says |website=ABC News |date=2021-11-28 |access-date=2021-11-28 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128065804/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-28/tavellers-test-positive-omicron-covid-sydney/100657076 |url-status=live }}

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the Nation at 20:00 SAST.{{cite web|title=WATCH LIVE: President Ramaphosa to address the nation|url=https://ewn.co.za/2021/11/28/watch-live-president-ramaphosa-to-address-the-nation|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Eyewitness News|language=en}}{{cite web|title=WATCH: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation {{!}} eNCA|url=https://www.enca.com/news/president-cyril-ramaphosa-addresses-the-nation-tonight|access-date=2021-11-29|website=enca.com|language=en}} He highlighted a few key points in his address.{{cite web|title=Family meeting: Ramaphosa to address nation at 8pm|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/family-meeting-ramaphosa-to-address-nation-at-8pm-fcff4516-aa5f-49d3-b8ae-097a15058348|access-date=2021-11-29|website=iol.co.za|language=en}} Firstly he explained the arrival of the new Omicron variant and stated that over the next 2 weeks, South African scientists will be working on understand and testing the effectiveness of vaccines against this new Variant.{{cite web|title=Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation on new Covid-19 variant|url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2021-11-28-cyril-ramaphosa-to-address-the-nation-on-new-covid-19-variant/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=BusinessLIVE|language=en-ZA}} He called for nations who closed borders to reopen then cited that the closure "is not informed by science, nor will it be effective in preventing the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant".{{cite web|last=Felix|first=Jason|title=Closing the door to South Africa won't stop Omicron variant from spreading globally - Ramaphosa|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/closing-the-door-to-south-africa-wont-stop-omicron-variant-from-spreading-globally-ramaphosa-20211129|access-date=2021-11-29|website=News24|language=en-US}}{{cite web|title=FULL ADDRESS {{!}} SA remains on alert level 1 lockdown|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2021-11-28-full-address-sa-remains-on-alert-level-1-lockdown/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=TimesLIVE|language=en-ZA}} Secondly, he called for the country to vaccinate.{{cite web|author=Staff Writer|title=Ramaphosa to address South Africa on Sunday evening|url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/542148/ramaphosa-to-address-south-africa-on-sunday-evening-4/|access-date=2021-11-29|language=en-US}} Finally he announced the country would not go into lockdown, but introduced a minor curfew and a limit on gathering.{{cite web|title=SA stays on lockdown level 1 - Read President Cyril Ramaphosa's full speech|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/sa-stays-on-lockdown-level-1-read-president-cyril-ramaphosas-full-speech-bb2ae419-990a-4c1d-b89c-e9271ebd38d8|access-date=2021-11-29|website=iol.co.za|language=en}} A further address is set to take place next week on 5 December 2021 to evaluate whether a lockdown is needed.{{cite web|last=Illidge|first=Myles|title=Family meeting tonight — What to expect from Ramaphosa's Omicron address|url=https://mybroadband.co.za/news/trending/425124-family-meeting-tonight-what-to-expect-from-ramaphosas-omicron-address.html|access-date=2021-11-29|language=en-US}}{{cite web|title=[WATCH LIVE] Ramaphosa updates SA on Covid-19 measures (8 pm)|url=https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/433386/watch-live-ramaphosa-updates-sa-on-covid-19-measures-8-pm|access-date=2021-11-29|website=CapeTalk|language=en-ZA}}

The affairs ministry of South Africa said that it was dismayed by its 'punishment' for discovering the variant and that 'excellent science should be applauded and not punished'.{{cite news|date=2021-11-28|title=South Africa dismayed at 'punishment' for honesty over Omicron coronavirus variant|language=en|work=The Straits Times|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/south-africa-dismayed-at-punishment-for-honesty-over-omicron-coronavirus-variant|access-date=2021-12-02|issn=0585-3923}}

Australia records its third case of the variant in a national repatriated from Johannesburg. He was undertaking mandatory isolation in the Howard Springs quarantine facility in the Northern Territory.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-29/nt-covid-outbreak-katherine-traveller-positive-for-omicron/100657690|title=COVID-positive repatriation flight arrival to the Northern Territory tests positive to Omicron variant |website=ABC News |date=2021-11-29 |access-date=2021-11-29 }} The first six cases are identified in Scotland (bringing the total in the UK to nine): four in the Lanarkshire area and two in Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/news/omicron-variant/ |title=Omicron variant |author= |date=29 November 2021 |website=gov.scot |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=29 November 2021 }}

Spain and Sweden report their first cases, the latter from a sample taken less than a week prior from a traveler from South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/life/first-omicron-cases-confirmed-in-spain-sweden-latest-updates-52116|title=First Omicron cases confirmed in Spain, Sweden – latest updates|website=TRT World}} India announces that a portion of the stock of its own vaccines (under the aegis of COVAX) shall be shipped to afflicted African nations.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-announces-vaccine-support-to-africa-to-fight-omicron/articleshow/87989068.cms|title=India announces vaccine support to Africa to fight Omicron|first=Dipanjan Roy|last=Chaudhury|newspaper=The Economic Times}} At a special session of the World Health Assembly WHO presents the variant as having a very high global risk.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/29/omicron-covid-variant-poses-very-high-global-risk-says-who|title=Omicron Covid variant poses very high global risk, says WHO|date=November 29, 2021|website=The Guardian}}

Ecuador and Japan impose international travel restrictions. The US also tightens its restrictions. Japan reports its first case as does France (on the Indian Ocean island of Réunion). China's leader Xi Jinping pledges 30 million doses of its own vaccine to Africa by way of addressing global vaccine inequity, with 400 million to follow (produced by Chinese-owned companies in Africa).{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/omicron-hong-kong-ecuador-impose-entry-bans-as-china-pledges-1-billion-jabs-forafrica|title=Omicron: entry bans spread as China pledges 1bn jabs for Africa|date=November 30, 2021|website=The Guardian}} In the Netherlands, two additional cases are identified in older samples that were retroactively checked for the new variant, dating back to 19 and 23 November.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

• United States,{{cite web|date=2021-12-01|title=California confirms nation's first Omicron variant coronavirus case|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-01/california-confirms-first-omicron-variant-covid-19-case|access-date=2021-12-02|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} Saudi Arabia,{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/coronavirus/2021/12/01/Saudi-Arabia-detects-first-case-of-COVID-19-Omicron-variant-in-Kingdom|title=Saudi Arabia detects first case of COVID-19 Omicron variant in Kingdom|date=December 1, 2021|website=Al Arabiya English}} Ghana, South Korea, Norway and Nigeria announce their first cases. The Dutch health ministry announces that its first cases date back to November 19 and 23. WHO advises the COVID-vulnerable, including those over 60, not to travel,{{cite news|last1=Ambrose|first1=Tom|last2=Hall|first2=Rachel|last3=Belam|first3=Martin|last4=Lock|first4=Samantha|date=2021-12-02|title=Covid news: Omicron detected in US; UK reports 48,374 new cases and 171 deaths – as it happened|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/01/covid-news-live-who-advises-vulnerable-against-travel-over-omicron-greece-to-fine-those-over-60-who-refuse-vaccine?filterKeyEvents=true|access-date=2021-12-02|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news|date=2021-11-30|title=Omicron Covid variant 'present in Europe at least 10 days ago'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/omicron-covid-variant-present-in-europe-at-least-10-days-ago|access-date=2021-12-02|work=The Guardian|language=en}} and more than fifty countries have implemented new travel restrictions.{{cite news|last1=Ambrose|first1=Tom|last2=Hall|first2=Rachel|last3=Belam|first3=Martin|last4=Lock|first4=Samantha|date=2021-12-02|title=Covid news: Omicron detected in US; UK reports 48,374 new cases and 171 deaths – as it happened|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/01/covid-news-live-who-advises-vulnerable-against-travel-over-omicron-greece-to-fine-those-over-60-who-refuse-vaccine?filterKeyEvents=true&page=with%3Ablock-61a6c70e8f08ad7893e7247e|access-date=2021-12-02|issn=0261-3077}}
• Ireland announces its first case, apparently from community transmission.{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/first-omicron-case-ireland-5613966-Dec2021/|title=Omicron Covid variant detected in Ireland from travel but 'no evidence yet' of community transmission|first=Orla|last=Dwyer|website=TheJournal.ie|date=December 2021 }}
• The Israeli Ministry of Health has confirmed cardiologist Dr. Elan Maor as the country's third Omicron case. Maor had previously attended the PCR London Valves 2021 conference at London's ExCeL London in late November 2021.{{cite news |title=Doctor who attended UK summit confirmed as Israel's 3rd Omicron case |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/doctor-who-attended-uk-summit-confirmed-as-israels-3rd-omicron-case/ |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=The Times of Israel |date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204161908/https://www.timesofisrael.com/doctor-who-attended-uk-summit-confirmed-as-israels-3rd-omicron-case/ |archive-date=4 December 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Gregory |first1=Andrew |title=Israeli doctor believes he caught Omicron variant of Covid in London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/01/israeli-doctor-believes-he-caught-omicron-variant-of-covid-in-london |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217083619/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/01/israeli-doctor-believes-he-caught-omicron-variant-of-covid-in-london |archive-date=17 December 2021|url-status=live}}

United Arab Emirates announces its first cases. The number of cases in South Africa has increased exponentially in the prior two weeks, with Omicron rapidly becoming the dominant strain.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/02/omicron-variant-fuelling-exponential-rise-in-covid-cases-say-south-africa-officials|title=Omicron variant fuelling 'exponential' rise in Covid cases, say South Africa officials|date=December 2, 2021|website=The Guardian}}

A case is found in the greater Paris, France region, reports BFM TV; the infected person had recently returned from Nigeria.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/02/coronavirus-news-live-south-africa-sees-exponential-increase-in-covid-cases-dominated-by-omicron-variant?filterKeyEvents=true|title=Covid live: Germany set to impose restrictions on the unvaccinated; India detects two cases of Omicron variant|first1=Léonie|last1=Chao-Fong|first2=Lucy|last2=Campbell|first3=Martin|last3=Belam|first4=Samantha|last4=Lock|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 2, 2021|via=theguardian.com}} This is the first case in mainland France.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-govt-science-adviser-covid-delta-variant-is-main-fight-right-now-looking-2021-12-02/|title=First case of Omicron variant case found in mainland France|newspaper=Reuters|date=December 2, 2021}} Iceland also reports its first case, a triply-vaccinated individual who had not traveled abroad;{{cite web|url=https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2021/12/02/iceland_s_first_case_of_omicron_variant_confirmed/|title=Iceland's First Case of Omicron Variant Confirmed|website=Iceland Monitor}} Greece announces its first case (in Crete), an individual who had traveled to South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/02/greece-reports-first-omicron-case-in-crete/|title=Greece Reports First Case of Omicron Variant on Crete|date=December 2, 2021}} Finland reports its first case, an individual who had traveled from Sweden with a group.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-discovers-first-case-omicron-variant-coronavirus-2021-12-02/|title=Finland discovers first case of Omicron variant of coronavirus|newspaper=Reuters|date=December 2, 2021}}

Singapore preliminarily reports its first two cases.{{cite news|last=Wong|first=Shiying|date=2021-12-02|title=Singapore detects first 2 imported Covid-19 cases who test preliminarily positive for Omicron|language=en|work=The Straits Times|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/2-imported-covid-19-cases-in-spore-test-preliminarily-positive-for-omicron-variant|access-date=2021-12-02|issn=0585-3923}} The US reports its second case (and its first case of community transmission) in a Minnesota resident who in late November had attended an anime convention in New York City, Anime NYC 2021; vaccination had been required for attendance.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/02/omicron-first-case-new-york-anime-convention|title=Second US case of Omicron linked to New York anime convention|agency=Associated Press|date=December 2, 2021|website=The Guardian}} The event had 53,000 attendees, all of whom were urged to get tested (along with staff and exhibitors) inasmuch as authorities feared it as having been a superspreader event.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/22814974/anime-nyc-omicron-case-coronavirus-covid-19-superspreader|title=All 53,000 attendees of Anime NYC urged to get tested after one got Omicron|first=Sean|last=Hollister|date=December 2, 2021|website=The Verge}}{{cite web |title=Statement from Mayor de Blasio on Omicron Variant |url=https://twitter.com/nycgov/status/1466473589180403714 |website=Twitter |access-date=14 December 2021 |date=2 December 2021}}{{cite web |title=Anime NYC Omicron variant announcement |url=https://twitter.com/animenyc/status/1466549890947895300 |website=Twitter |access-date=14 December 2021 |date=2 December 2021}}

Malaysia announced its first case of the variant. The case was detected on 26 November, a South African student entering the country to study at a private university.{{cite web|date=2021-12-03|title=Omicron sudah sampai ke Malaysia|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/601635|access-date=2021-12-03|website=Malaysiakini}} There are now ten cases in the US, in California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York, and in Hawaii, where the person had no recent travel history.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59512368|title=Omicron: Biden tightens travel rules amid new Omicron cases|work=BBC News|date=December 3, 2021}} Réunion reported its second confirmed case. Both cases were linked to travel from mainland Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.ipreunion.com/actualites-reunion/reportage/2021/12/03/une-femme-d-une-trentaine-d-annees-qui-revenait-d-afrique-du-sud-covid-19-deuxieme-cas-de-variant-omicron-a-la-reunion,144208.html|title=Codid-19 : un second cas de variant Omicron à La Réunion|date=December 3, 2021|publisher=Imaz Press|access-date=3 December 2021|language=fr}} More than a dozen cases have been found in the US spread over at least ten states.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-variant-detected-in-at-least-five-u-s-states-11638547065|title=Omicron Variant Detected in at Least 10 U.S. States|first1=Allison|last1=Prang|first2=Brianna|last2=Abbott|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 4, 2021|via=wsj.com}}

• The official number of cases in South Korea is now nine (after the initial first three). Officials fear that a church gathering of hundreds on 28 November may have been a superspreader event. Concurrently the country is undergoing a record Delta surge.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/04/covid-news-boris-johnson-reported-to-police-over-no-10-parties-south-korea-cases-and-deaths-at-new-high|title=Covid news: Boris Johnson reported to police over No 10 parties, South Korea cases and deaths at new high|first1=Sarah|last1=Marsh|first2=Jessica|last2=Elgot|first3=Sarah|last3=Marsh|first4=Rowena|last4=Mason|date=December 4, 2021|work=The Guardian}}
• Officials in Norway officially regard a corporate Christmas party held on 26 November as a superspreader event, being the single largest outbreak outside of South Africa. At least 14 people of the 120 participants were infected.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/03/europe/norway-christmas-party-superspreader-omicron-event-intl/index.html|title=Omicron outbreak at Norway Christmas party is biggest outside South Africa, authorities say|date=3 December 2021|agency=Reuters|publisher=CNN|access-date=5 December 2021}} Ultimately 66 positive cases were identified, none of whom had received a booster.{{cite journal |last1=Brandal |first1=Lin |last2=Macdonald |first2=Emily |last3=Veneti |first3=Lamprini |last4=Ravlo |first4=Tine |title=Outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Norway, November to December 2021 |journal=Eurosurveillance |date=16 December 2021 |volume=26 |issue=50 |doi=10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.50.2101147 |pmid=34915975 |pmc=8728491 |s2cid=245263130 }}
• Israel confirms seven cases of the Omicron variant resulting from overseas travel including five from South Africa, one from Malawi, and one from the United Kingdom.{{cite news |title=Covid-19 pandemic: Israel confirms 7 cases of omicron, 27 others suspected |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/covid-19-pandemic-israel-confirms-7-cases-of-omicron-27-others-suspected-121120400018_1.html |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=Business Standard |date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204111533/https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/covid-19-pandemic-israel-confirms-7-cases-of-omicron-27-others-suspected-121120400018_1.html |archive-date=4 December 2021|url-status=live}}

Eight cases of community transmission, unrelated to each other, are reported in New York. A woman who recently traveled from South Africa becomes both New Jersey's and Georgia's first confirmed case. Maryland has its first three cases, and Pennsylvania and Missouri one each.

Nebraska's number of cases increases to six, all in its southeast.{{cite news |title=New York Omicron cases rise to eight as official warns of community spread |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/04/new-york-omicron-cases-rise-to-eight-as-official-warns-of-community-spread |access-date=14 December 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=4 December 2021}}

Fiji confirmed its first two cases of the variant. The two cases traveled from Nigeria arriving in the country from Hong Kong on 25 November.{{cite web|title=Two confirmed cases of Omicron variant in quarantine|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/covid-19/two-confirmed-cases-of-omicron-variant-in-quarantine/|access-date=2021-12-06|website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}

The Omicron variant features as such for the first time in the overview of WHO's weekly operational update, namely "Supporting Omicron variant detection and COVID-19 response in southern Africa." As of 2 December, Botswana and South Africa have reported 19 and 172 Omicron variant cases, respectively, accounting for 62% of global cases. A surge team is being deployed. Globally, more than twenty countries have reported cases to date.{{cite web|title=Weekly operational update on COVID-19 - 7 December 2021|url=https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-operational-update-on-covid-19---7-december-2021|access-date=2021-12-08|website=who.int|language=en}}

Queensland, Australia health authorities detect the first case of the variant in the state, alongside the first identification ever of a genetically distinct 'Omicron-like' variant.{{Cite news|date=2021-12-08|title=Queensland records first cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, both genetically different|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-08/qld-coronavirus-covid-omicron-variant/100682280|access-date=2021-12-08}}

WHO announces that the variant had been detected in 57 countries.{{cite web|title=New omicron variant detected in 57 countries: WHO|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/new-omicron-variant-detected-in-57-countries-who/2442144|access-date=2021-12-08|website=aa.com.tr}} By this date, the CDC later confirms (on 17 December) that 22 states of the US have cases. "Among 43 cases with initial follow-up, one hospitalization and no deaths were reported."{{Cite journal|url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7050e1.htm|title=SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant — United States, December 1–8, 2021|date=December 18, 2021|journal=MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report|volume=70|issue=50|pages=1731–1734|via=cdc.gov|doi=10.15585/mmwr.mm7050e1|pmid=34914670|author=((CDC COVID-19 Response Team))|pmc=8675659|s2cid=245071514}}

Pakistan reports its first suspected case.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1665734|title=Islamabad reports its first confirmed case of Omicron|first=Ikram|last=Junaidi|date=December 25, 2021|website=DAWN.COM}}

WHO announces that "Of 899,935 Covid-19 test samples sequenced and uploaded to the global Covid database in the last 60 days, 897,886 (99.8%) were confirmed to be Delta, while 713 (0.1%) were Omicron." Cases in South Africa rise by 110% in one week.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/09/omicron-spreads-to-57-countries-but-too-early-to-tell-if-variant-more-infectious-who-says|title=Omicron spreads to 57 countries but too early to tell if variant more infectious, WHO says|date=December 9, 2021|website=The Guardian}} Cuba reports its first case, in a person who had traveled from Mozambique.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/09/covid-news-live-england-moves-to-plan-b-three-pfizer-shots-can-neutralise-omicron-lab-tests-show?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61b13f968f087461a36a1c42|title=Covid live: Australia to offer jabs to children aged five to 11; people in Scotland urged to cancel Christmas parties|first1=Tom|last1=Ambrose|first2=Lucy|last2=Campbell|first3=Martin|last3=Belam|first4=Samantha|last4=Lock|date=December 10, 2021|via=theguardian.com}}

Singapore detects its first case of community transmission, an airport frontline worker. In the US, more than 40 people have been found to be infected, more than 75% of whom had been vaccinated.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/10/covid-news-live-australia-to-offer-jabs-to-children-aged-five-to-11-us-omicron-cases-mostly-mild-cdc-chief-says|title=UK reports highest daily new cases since January – as it happened|first1=Nadeem|last1=Badshah|first2=Lucy|last2=Campbell|first3=Martin|last3=Belam|first4=Samantha|last4=Lock|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 10, 2021|via=theguardian.com}}

Bangladesh reports its first two cases, female cricketers who had recently returned from Zimbabwe.{{cite web|url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/bangladesh-confirms-first-two-cases-of-omicron-variant-of-covid-19-1639216115|title=Bangladesh confirms first two cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19|first=The Financial|last=Express|website=The Financial Express}} In the US, the variant is responsible for 2.9% of cases.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-seen-doubling-every-1-days-in-parts-of-u-k-11639747057|title=New York Hits Covid-19 Case Record as Omicron Looms|first1=Julie|last1=Wernau|first2=Aaisha Dadi|last2=Patel|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 17, 2021|via=wsj.com}}

• 64 new cases are reported in New South Wales, Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/13/australia-covid-update-omicron-variant-spreading-rapidly-as-nsw-and-victoria-cases-grow|title=Australia Covid update: Omicron variant spreading rapidly as NSW and Victoria cases grow|date=December 13, 2021|website=The Guardian}}
• Israel reports 20 new cases, bringing the total number of Omicron cases to 55.{{cite news |title=Israel reports 20 new omicron cases |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1639250665-israel-reports-20-new-omicron-cases |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=i24NEWS |date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213193635/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1639250665-israel-reports-20-new-omicron-cases |archive-date=13 December 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Cases of Omicron variant rise to 55 in Israel |url=http://www.news.cn/english/2021-12/12/c_1310366737.htm |access-date=18 December 2021 |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213190655/http://www.news.cn/english/2021-12/12/c_1310366737.htm |archive-date=13 December 2021|url-status=live}}

The first Briton infected with the Omicron variant dies;{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/13/at-least-one-person-in-uk-has-died-with-omicron-says-boris-johnson|title=At least one person in UK has died with Omicron, says Boris Johnson|date=December 13, 2021|website=The Guardian}} the variant now accounts for 20% of the cases in the UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-reports-first-omicron-death-as-government-warns-of-a-tidal-wave-of-cases-11639406945|title=U.K. Sees First Death of a Person With Omicron as Government Warns of Wave of Cases|first=Max|last=Colchester|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 13, 2021|via=wsj.com}} China reports its first case (a returnee from overseas),{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/13/covid-news-live-boris-johnson-warns-of-omicron-tidal-wave-south-african-president-tests-positive?filterKeyEvents=true|title=Covid live: Mainland China reports first Omicron cases; Norway to tighten restrictions|first1=Jedidajah|last1=Otte|first2=Rachel|last2=Hall|first3=Martin|last3=Belam|first4=Samantha|last4=Lock|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 13, 2021|via=theguardian.com}} in Tianjin.{{cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/1214/c90000-9932322.html|title=Chinese mainland detects Omicron variant from imported asymptomatic carrier - People's Daily Online|website=en.people.cn}}

Puerto Rico confirms its first case,{{cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/salud-confirma-el-primer-caso-de-omicron-en-puerto-rico/|title=Salud confirma el primer caso de ómicron en Puerto Rico|date=December 13, 2021|website=El Nuevo Día}} as does Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1663557|title=Pakistan's first Omicron case confirmed through gene-sequencing|date=December 13, 2021|website=DAWN.COM}}

France reports 130 cases.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/14/covid-news-live-us-coronavirus-cases-surpass-50m-china-reports-first-omicron-case?filterKeyEvents=false|title=Covid live: France confirms 130 Omicron cases; South Korea has deadliest day of pandemic|first1=Léonie|last1=Chao-Fong|first2=Lucy|last2=Campbell|first3=Martin|last3=Belam|first4=Samantha|last4=Lock|work=The Guardian|date=December 14, 2021}} In England 20 cases are in hospital. Studies continue to show that while current vaccines are not as effective against Omicron that boosters are beneficial nevertheless.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/video/the-omicron-variant-can-evade-vaccine-protection-heres-how-we-know/0147362A-F537-4937-9166-7E280FC3BED3.html|title=The Omicron Variant Can Evade Vaccine Protection. Here's How We Know.|work=Wall Street Journal|date=December 14, 2021}}

Algeria reports its first case, a foreign national who entered Algeria on 10 December and tested positive at the Algiers International Airport.{{cite web|date=December 14, 2021|title=Covid-19: détection d'un premier cas du variant Omicron en Algérie|url=https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/132673-covid-19-detection-d-un-premier-cas-du-variant-omicron-en-algerie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214181743/https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/132673-covid-19-detection-d-un-premier-cas-du-variant-omicron-en-algerie|archive-date=2021-12-14|access-date=|website=aps.dz|language=fr}}

Israel has confirmed a total of 67 Omicron cases.{{cite news |title=Omicron spread in Israel may be wider than thought — report |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/omicron-spread-in-israel-may-be-wider-than-thought-report/ |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=The Times of Israel |date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215035757/https://www.timesofisrael.com/omicron-spread-in-israel-may-be-wider-than-thought-report/ |archive-date=15 December 2021|url-status=live}}

Mainland China reports its second case, a returnee who had landed at Shanghai International Airport. The individual had had multiple negative nucleic acid tests whilst in standard quarantine in Guangzhou until testing positive. Indicative of a relatively low viral load, this sequence of events prompted concerns over possible community transmission.{{cite web|last=Qingqing|first=Chen|date=December 15, 2021|title=Mainland reports 2 Omicron cases as supply chain threatened - People's Daily Online|url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/1215/c90000-9932836.html|access-date=2021-12-16|website=en.people.cn}}

File:World Health Organisation regional offices.svg{{cite web |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/omicron-variant-identified-in-89-countries-has-doubling-time-between-1-5-3-days-in-high-community-transmission-areas-who/2383186/ |title=Omicron variant identified in 89 countries; has doubling time between 1.5-3 days in high community transmission areas: WHO |publisher=The Financial Express |date= 18 December 2021|accessdate=2021-12-19}}]]

New Zealand confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant, an individual who arrived in Auckland from Germany via Dubai on 10 December.{{cite web |title=First Omicron case detected in New Zealand |url=https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/first-omicron-case-detected-new-zealand |publisher=Ministry of Healfh |access-date=16 December 2021 |date=16 December 2021 }}

Indonesia confirms its first case.{{cite web|last=detikcom|first=Tim|date=2021-12-16|title=Pasien Pertama Omicron di RI Kini Sudah Negatif, Begini Kronologinya|url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-5858083/pasien-pertama-omicron-di-ri-kini-sudah-negatif-begini-kronologinya|access-date=2021-12-16|website=detiknews|language=id-ID}} Malaysia reports its second case,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/16/covid-news-live-south-korea-reimpose-dining-curfews-south-africa-daily-cases-record-omicron?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61bae1cf8f0848fb65d96bfc|title=Covid live: Italy reports highest daily cases since March; Canada's Omicron cases 'could overwhelm Ontario ICUs'|first1=Samantha|last1=Lock|first2=Tom|last2=Ambrose|first3=Jem|last3=Bartholomew|first4=Miranda|last4=Bryant|date=December 16, 2021|work=The Guardian}} and Poland its first.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/16/covid-news-live-south-korea-reimpose-dining-curfews-south-africa-daily-cases-record-omicron?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61bb16e18f08c02cca9b47a8|title=Covid live: Italy reports highest daily cases since March; Canada's Omicron cases 'could overwhelm Ontario ICUs'|first1=Samantha|last1=Lock|first2=Tom|last2=Ambrose|first3=Jem|last3=Bartholomew|first4=Miranda|last4=Bryant|date=December 16, 2021|work=The Guardian}}

Fifteen people are hospitalized in the UK. The antibody treatment Evusheld produced by AstraZeneca is shown to retain neutralising activity against Omicron, whereas Regeneron's Ronapreve therapy proves to be less effective.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/16/covid-news-live-south-korea-reimpose-dining-curfews-south-africa-daily-cases-record-omicron?filterKeyEvents=false|title=Covid live: Italy reports highest daily cases since March; Canada's Omicron cases 'could overwhelm Ontario ICUs'|first1=Samantha|last1=Lock|first2=Tom|last2=Ambrose|first3=Jem|last3=Bartholomew|first4=Miranda|last4=Bryant|date=December 16, 2021|work=The Guardian}}

Despite there being few confirmed cases, wastewater samples in Orange County, Florida test nearly 100% for Omicron.{{cite news |last1=Gazn |first1=Jami |title=Omicron found in nearly all of Florida county's wastewater samples |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-covid-florida-wastewater-positive-for-omicron-20211216-o6xoum655nhqzc3k2g3frcsbxe-story.html |access-date=December 17, 2021 |work=New York Daily News |date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216215938/https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-covid-florida-wastewater-positive-for-omicron-20211216-o6xoum655nhqzc3k2g3frcsbxe-story.html |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |url-status=live }} Exactly six months after lifting its mask mandate, California reinstates it.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/dr-anthony-fauci-on-omicron-and-the-covid-19-stalemate/47423ee7-2d37-4784-9370-598226a4b6f0?mod=series_omicron|title = Dr. Anthony Fauci on Omicron and the Covid-19 Stalemate - the Journal. - WSJ Podcasts}}

The State of Palestine reported its first three cases, in returnees from abroad.{{cite news |title=Palestinians detect first 3 cases of omicron in West Bank |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/palestinians-detect-cases-omicron-west-bank-81794118 |access-date=17 December 2021 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217013141/https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/palestinians-detect-cases-omicron-west-bank-81794118 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |url-status=live }}

New Zealand has reported three more Omicron cases at the border. These cases were had arrived in Auckland from Dubai on 11 December and traveled to a managed isolation and quarantine in Rotorua on a bus chartered for international arrivals.{{cite news |title=Covid-19: Three more Omicron cases reported in MIQ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/458136/covid-19-three-more-omicron-cases-reported-in-miq |access-date=17 December 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217095214/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/458136/covid-19-three-more-omicron-cases-reported-in-miq |archive-date=17 December 2021 |url-status=live }}

In the US modeling by the CDC presented to state health leaders projects that Omicron will peak in January 2022, the case load having increased seven-fold in one week. How Omicron and Delta will interact is not clear in these models, however, and furthermore the prospect of those major variants on top of influenza is of grave concern.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/16/us-hospitals-brace-for-potential-omicron-surge-in-january|title=Biden warns of 'winter of severe illness and death' for those unvaccinated against Covid|date=December 16, 2021|website=The Guardian}} (A smaller Omicron surge in spring is also possible.){{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/12/14/omicron-us-spread/ |title=Omicron spreading rapidly in U.S., infections could peak in January, CDC warns |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2021-12-14 |accessdate=2021-12-19}}

As it is, the variant is projected to become the dominant strain within a week.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-seen-doubling-every-1-days-in-parts-of-u-k-11639747057|title=Omicron Variant's Rapid Spread Triggers New Precautions|first1=Julie|last1=Wernau|first2=Aaisha Dadi|last2=Patel|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 17, 2021|via=wsj.com}}

The R number for Omicron in the UK is estimated to be between 3 and 5, Dr. Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at the UK Health Security Agency reported. The variant becomes the dominant strain in Scotland.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/17/covid-news-live-g7-calls-omicron-biggest-threat-to-global-health-unvaccinated-face-winter-of-severe-illness-and-death-biden-warns?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61bc88258f080842de5fba60|title=Covid live: UK reports 93,045 new cases; pubs and restaurants in Ireland reportedly set to get 8pm curfew|first1=Nadeem|last1=Badshah|first2=Miranda|last2=Bryant |first3=Rachel|last3=Hall|first4=Jedidajah|last4=Otte|first5=Samantha|last5=Lock|date=December 17, 2021|via=theguardian.com}} In Denmark it accounts for one-fifth of all cases,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/17/covid-news-live-g7-calls-omicron-biggest-threat-to-global-health-unvaccinated-face-winter-of-severe-illness-and-death-biden-warns?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61bc8e8a8f08c02cca9b5e7f|title=Covid live: UK reports 93,045 new cases; pubs and restaurants in Ireland reportedly set to get 8pm curfew|first1=Nadeem|last1=Badshah|first2=Miranda|last2=Bryant |first3=Rachel|last3=Hall|first4=Jedidajah|last4=Otte|first5=Samantha|last5=Lock|date=December 17, 2021|via=theguardian.com}} and in Ireland 35%.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/17/covid-news-live-g7-calls-omicron-biggest-threat-to-global-health-unvaccinated-face-winter-of-severe-illness-and-death-biden-warns?filterKeyEvents=false|title=Covid live: UK reports 93,045 new cases; pubs and restaurants in Ireland reportedly set to get 8pm curfew|first1=Nadeem|last1=Badshah|first2=Miranda|last2=Bryant |first3=Rachel|last3=Hall|first4=Jedidajah|last4=Otte|first5=Samantha|last5=Lock|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 17, 2021|via=theguardian.com}}

Qatar reports its first four cases, imported from abroad.{{cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus/covid-19-qatar-reports-its-first-four-omicron-cases|title=Covid-19: Qatar reports its first four Omicron cases|website=Khaleej Times}}

• WHO reports that given community transmission the number of cases doubles every 1.5 to three days. The variant is now in 89 counties, and its severity profile remains unknown.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/18/who-says-omicron-in-89-countries-and-spreading-rapidly|title=WHO says Omicron in 89 countries and spreading rapidly|agency=Reuters|date=December 18, 2021|website=The Guardian}}
• Seven to ten percent of new confirmed coronavirus cases in France are suspected to be of the Omicron variant and the travel ban on the UK comes into force.{{cite news |last1=Gayle |first1=Damien |title=Covid live: Omicron spreads significantly faster than Delta, says WHO; experts call for stricter restrictions in England 'very soon' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/18/covid-live-experts-call-for-stricter-restrictions-in-england-very-soon-omicron-spreading-fast-in-france?filterKeyEvents=false#liveblog-content|access-date=18 December 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=18 December 2021}}
• Israel has reported 45 new cases, bringing the total number of Omicron cases to 134.{{cite news |title=Cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant climb to 134 in Israel |url=http://www.news.cn/english/2021-12/18/c_1310379696.htm |access-date=18 December 2021 |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218104404/http://www.news.cn/english/2021-12/18/c_1310379696.htm |archive-date=18 December 2021|url-status=live}}
• Malaysia has confirmed 11 new cases of the Omicron variant, all resulting from overseas travel. These cases are connected to the 18 suspected cases dating back to 16 December.{{cite news |last1=Adam |first1=Ashman |title=Dr Noor Hisham: 11 more Omicron variant cases detected |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/12/18/dr-noor-hisham-11-more-omicron-variant-cases-detected/2029403 |access-date=19 December 2021 |work=Malay Mail |date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219012350/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/12/18/dr-noor-hisham-11-more-omicron-variant-cases-detected/2029403|archive-date=19 December 2021|url-status=live}}
• New Zealand has reported four new cases at the border, bringing the total number of Omicron cases in the country to eight.{{cite news |title=Covid-19 update: 39 community cases in New Zealand today, 4 new cases of Omicron |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/458191/covid-19-update-39-community-cases-in-new-zealand-today-4-new-cases-of-omicron |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=18 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218112853/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/458191/covid-19-update-39-community-cases-in-new-zealand-today-4-new-cases-of-omicron |archive-date=18 December 2021|url-status=live}}
• The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, declares a major incident.{{Cite tweet |last=Khan |first=Sadiq |author-link= Sadiq Khan |user=MayorofLondon |number=1472226777254739968 |date= 19 December 2021 |title=The Omicron variant has spread rapidly across the capital. Today I have declared a major incident in London because of the serious threat of COVID-19 to our city. This will help us avoid disruption to frontline services and to the life-saving booster vaccine rollout. |access-date=19 December 2021}}{{cite news |title=Covid: UK Omicron cases grow by more than 10,000 as major incident declared in London |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2021-12-18/major-incident-declared-in-london-as-covid-omicron-cases-surge |access-date=19 December 2021 |work=ITV |date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218151423/https://www.itv.com/news/2021-12-18/major-incident-declared-in-london-as-covid-omicron-cases-surge |archive-date=18 December 2021}}
• In the United States, 80% of the COVID-19 cases in the Miami-Dade area (in Florida) are now of the Omicron variant, a situation regarded as "unprecedented". The first positive sample had been taken 2 December.{{cite news |last1=Margol |first1=Ian |last2=Torres |first2=Andrea |title='This is unprecedented': Omicron causes 80% of coronavirus cases in Miami-Dade in 2 weeks |url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/12/17/this-is-unprecedented-omicron-causes-80-of-coronavirus-cases-in-miami-dade-in-2-weeks/ |access-date=December 19, 2021 |work=WPLG |date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217181022/https://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/12/17/this-is-unprecedented-omicron-causes-80-of-coronavirus-cases-in-miami-dade-in-2-weeks/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021|url-status=live}}

• Netherlands enters lockdown, the first European country to do so due to Omicron.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-59716357/page/2 |title=Covid: Javid does not rule out more Covid measures |work=BBC News|date=2021-11-28 |accessdate=2021-12-19}} Iran announces its first case.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/19/covid-news-live-uk-2m-infections-a-day-germany-restricts-travel-boris-johnson-latest-updates |title=Covid live: UK minister not ruling out 'circuit breaker' before Christmas; Netherlands lockdown begins | World news |work=The Guardian |date= 19 December 2021|accessdate=2021-12-19|last1=Bartholomew |first1=Jem |last2=Quinn |first2=Ben |last3=Lawther |first3=Fran }} The variant is now the dominant strain in Ontario, Canada, accounting for 51% of cases.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-science-behind-omicrons-rapid-spread-11639823405|title=The Science Behind Omicron's Rapid Spread|work=Wall Street Journal|date=18 December 2021}}

• 12 deaths cumulative of Omicron cases in the UK. Thailand reports its first locally transmitted case.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/20/covid-news-live-omicron-raging-around-the-world-fauci-says-belgian-protests-turn-violent|title=Covid live: Thailand to consider ending quarantine-free travel; EU set to back Novavax vaccine|first1=Samantha|last1=Lock|first2=Léonie|last2=Chao-Fong|first3=Tom|last3=Ambrose|first4=Charlie|last4=Moloney|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 20, 2021|via=theguardian.com}}{{cite tweet|number=1472890353946562562|user=ians_india|title=The number of people dying due to the #OmicronVariant of #COVID19 in the #UK rose to 12 on Monday from seven report...|date=20 December 2021}} Peru reports its first four cases.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/20/covid-news-live-omicron-raging-around-the-world-fauci-says-belgian-protests-turn-violent?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61bfc4288f08c02cca9b81d2|title=Covid live: Thailand to consider ending quarantine-free travel; EU set to back Novavax vaccine|first1=Samantha|last1=Lock|first2=Léonie|last2=Chao-Fong|first3=Tom|last3=Ambrose|first4=Charlie|last4=Moloney|date=December 20, 2021|via=theguardian.com}}
• Moderna announces that its mRNA-1273 "half-dose booster" elicits a 37-fold increase in antibodies compared with people who had received just two doses.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/aebff238-3155-4131-8b3e-4be76b22a177|title=Moderna Covid booster produces strong antibody response against Omicron|first=Hannah|last=Kuchler|newspaper=Financial Times|date=December 20, 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderna-says-covid-19-booster-dose-works-against-omicron-variant-in-lab-tests-11639994403|title=Moderna Says Covid-19 Booster Dose Works Against Omicron Variant in Lab Tests|first=Peter|last=Loftus|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 20, 2021|via=wsj.com}}
• CDC estimates that Omicron accounts for 73% of COVID-19 cases in the US, up from 3% the week prior.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-variant-accounts-for-73-of-u-s-covid-19-cases-cdc-says-11640040586|title=Omicron Variant Accounts for 73% of U.S. Covid-19 Cases, CDC Says|first=Sarah|last=Toy|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 21, 2021|via=wsj.com}} It has now been identified in at least 30 states.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-symptoms-covid-19-variant-what-to-know-11639783659|title=Omicron and Its Symptoms: What to Know as Americans Are Catching the New Variant|first1=Sarah|last1=Toy|first2=Daniela|last2=Hernandez|first3=Joanna|last3=Sugden|first4=Denise|last4=Roland|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 17, 2021|via=wsj.com}}
• A report by the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team based on data from England, found that hospitalisation and asymptomatic infection indicators were not significantly associated with Omicron infection, suggesting at most limited changes in severity compared with Delta.{{cite tech report |vauthors=Ferguson N, Ghani A, Cori A, Hogan A, Hinsley W, Volz E |others=WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Modelling, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis |title=Growth, population distribution and immune escape of the Omicron in England |number=Report 49 |institution=Imperial College London |date=20 December 2021 |doi=10.25561/93038 |url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mrc-global-infectious-disease-analysis/covid-19/report-49-Omicron/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220124628/https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/mrc-gida/2021-12-16-COVID19-Report-49.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2021 |url-status=live}}

Algeria reports its second confirmed case, concerns an Algerian national returning from a stay in South Africa.{{Cite news|date=24 December 2021|title=Variant Omicron: un 2éme cas confirmé en Algérie|url=https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133216-variant-omicron-un-2eme-cas-confirme-en-algerie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224135904/https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133216-variant-omicron-un-2eme-cas-confirme-en-algerie|archive-date=24 December 2021|access-date=24 December 2021|website=aps.dz|language=fr}}

Airlines cancel more than 600 flights on Christmas Eve, and hundreds on Christmas, due to severe staffing shortages. United Airlines cancels 185 of its mainline flights, 10% of its schedule, and Deutsche Lufthansa AG's robust holiday contingency plans were overwhelmed by the unexpected rise in sick leave. Railroads in Europe were also affected, albeit not to the same extent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/travel-woes-deepen-as-omicron-variant-hits-pilots-and-flight-attendants-11640377350|title=Travel Woes Deepen as Omicron Variant Hits Pilots and Flight Attendants|first=Alison|last=Sider|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 25, 2021|via=wsj.com}} In the aggregate more than 4,500 flights worldwide are cancelled.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/24/christmas-eve-travel-chaos-as-airlines-cancel-more-than-2000-flights|title=Christmas travel chaos as airlines cancel more than 4,500 flights|date=December 25, 2021|website=The Guardian}}

Portugal announces that on 22 December Omicron had become the dominant strain, accounting for 65.5% of cases, and Malaysia detects its first case.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/25/covid-live-news-christmas-day-coronavirus-latest-updates-omicron|title=France, Italy and Ireland see record daily highs; Israel orders 100,000 anti-viral pills – as it happened|first1=Caitlin|last1=Cassidy|first2=Nadeem|last2=Badshah|first3=Kaamil|last3=Ahmed|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 26, 2021|via=theguardian.com}} Also, the confirmed first case in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is reported.

Algeria has confirmed two new cases, in Algerian nationals returned from France and the United Kingdom.{{Cite news|date=26 December 2021|title=Covid-19: deux nouveaux cas du variant Omicron détectés en Algérie|url=https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133328-covid-19-deux-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226184320/https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133328-covid-19-deux-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|archive-date=26 December 2021|access-date=|website=aps.dz|language=fr}}

Omicron is in at least 115 countries.{{cite tweet|number=1475082507208970240|user=IndiaToday|title=The new Covid variant Omicron is now present in nearly 115 countries. Here's a look at number of cases reported acr...|date=26 December 2021}} The first cases are identified in Gaza Strip and Dominican Republic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/26/covid-live-news-france-and-italy-see-record-daily-cases-australias-omicron-outbreak-spreads?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61c840828f086332f3d0eb00|title=Covid live: US reports highest seven-day cases average since January; UK 'considering door-to-door vaccinations'|first1=Samantha|last1=Lock|first2=Tory|last2=Shepherd|first3=Nadeem|last3=Badshah|first4=Miranda|last4=Bryant|first5=Tom|last5=Bryant|first6=Martin|last6=Farrer|first7=Caitlin|last7=Cassidy|date=December 26, 2021|via=theguardian.com}}

Omicron becomes the dominant strain in Portugal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/27/covid-news-live-australia-case-rise-continues-omicron-grounds-1000-more-us-flights?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-61c96c408f086332f3d0f739|title=England hospital Covid admissions highest since February; France announces new curbs – as it happened|first1=Léonie|last1=Chao-Fong|first2=Tom|last2=Ambrose|first3=Jedidajah|last3=Otte|first4=Samantha|last4=Lock|date=December 28, 2021|via=theguardian.com}}

• CDC revises its Omicron estimate from comprising 73% to 59% of all COVID cases in the US.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/28/cdc-omicron-cases-drop-us|title=CDC drastically drops estimate of US Omicron cases|date=29 December 2021|access-date=29 December 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229141910/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/28/cdc-omicron-cases-drop-us|archive-date=29 December 2021|url-status=live}}
• Thailand identifies its first superspreader event.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/29/covid-news-live-infections-hit-record-highs-across-europe-south-africa-reinstates-contact-tracing-and-isolation|title=Covid news live: France accelerates introduction of vaccine passes; Europe cases at record highs|first1=Lucy |last1=Campbell |first2=Nicola |last2=Slawson |first3=Samantha |last3=Lock|date=29 December 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229141647/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/29/covid-news-live-infections-hit-record-highs-across-europe-south-africa-reinstates-contact-tracing-and-isolation|archive-date=29 December 2021|url-status=live}}
• New Zealand reports its first community case.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/29/new-zealand-reports-first-community-exposure-to-omicron|title=New Zealand reports first community exposure to Omicron|date=29 December 2021|access-date=29 December 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229141608/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/29/new-zealand-reports-first-community-exposure-to-omicron|archive-date=29 December 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Ensor |first1=Blair |last2=Basagre |first2=Bernadette |title=Covid-19: Omicron border case active in the community is DJ Dimension |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300487986/covid19-omicron-border-case-active-in-the-community-is-dj-dimension |access-date=29 December 2021 |work=Stuff |date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229104046/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300487986/covid19-omicron-border-case-active-in-the-community-is-dj-dimension|archive-date=29 December 2021|url-status=live}}

Algeria reports 12 new cases; 6 Algerian citizens and 2 nationals returning from France, 1 Briton and 3 Mauritanians.{{Cite news|date=30 December 2021|title=Coronavirus : 12 nouveaux cas du variant Omicron détectés en Algérie|url=https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133555-coronavirus-12-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230184114/https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133555-coronavirus-12-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|archive-date=30 December 2021|access-date=|website=aps.dz|language=fr}}

The second case of the Omicron variant has been confirmed in North Macedonia, in the town of Struga.{{Cite web|date=30 December 2021|title=The second case with Omicron is registered in Northern Macedonia {{!}} txtreport.com|url=https://www.txtreport.com/news/2021-12-30-the-second-case-with-omicron-is-registered-in-northern-macedonia.SyhloHsoF.html|access-date=2022-01-03|website=txtreport.com|language=en}}

Staffing shortages due to Omicron necessitates the temporary closure of numerous urgent care clinics in the US.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-pushes-short-staffed-urgent-care-centers-to-the-brink-11640925930|title=Omicron Pushes Short-Staffed Urgent Care Centers to the Brink|first=Kimberly S.|last=Johnson|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 31, 2021|via=wsj.com}} The Biden administration lifts a month-long travel ban on foreign national arriving via air from eight African countries—South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi—effective 12:01 a.m. EST.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/24/us-to-lift-omicron-travel-ban-on-eight-african-countries|title=US to lift Omicron travel ban on eight African countries|date=December 24, 2021|website=The Guardian}}

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, notes in his year-end remarks that "Narrow nationalism and vaccine hoarding by some countries have undermined equity and created the ideal conditions for the emergence of the Omicron variant, and the longer inequity continues, the higher the risks of the virus evolving in ways we can't prevent or predict".{{Cite news|date=December 31, 2021|title=Covid-19: WHO chief optimistic disease will be beaten in 2022|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59840513|access-date=3 January 2022}}

The UKHSA announced that as of 1 January 2022, Omicron would no longer be reported separately in the daily statistics because the variant of concern had become the dominant strain in England.{{Cite web|date=31 December 2021|title=Omicron daily overview: 31 December 2021|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1044522/20211231_OS_Daily_Omicron_Overview.pdf|access-date=3 January 2022|website=gov.uk|publisher=UKHSA|quote=As VOC Omicron is now the dominant strain within England, with effect from 1 January 2022 UKHSA will no longer be separately reporting VOC Omicron statistics.}}

French Health officials acknowledged the Omicron variant as the country most dominant variant. President Macron warned that the following weeks would be "very difficult".

South Korea reports the first two deaths of people who tested positive post mortem for Omicron.{{Cite news|date=2022-01-03|title=S.Korea reports first deaths linked to Omicron coronavirus variant - Yonhap|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/skorea-reports-first-deaths-linked-omicron-coronavirus-variant-yonhap-2022-01-03/|access-date=2022-01-03}}

As per WHO, Omicron has emerged in 128 countries, and furthermore new studies suggest that it does not generally cause as severely pulmonary damage as prior variants.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jan/04/covid-live-news-chinese-city-puts-13-million-in-strict-lockdown-over-three-asymptomatic-cases|title=Italy reports record 170,844 cases and 259 deaths; fourth jab gives five-fold antibody boost, study says – as it happened|first1=Samantha|last1=Lock|first2=Euan O'Byrne|last2=Mulligan|first3=Tom|last3=Ambrose|first4=Jedidajah|last4=Otte|newspaper=The Guardian|date=January 5, 2022|via=theguardian.com}}

US COVID-19 cases reach 1,082,549, mainly due to the rapidity of Omicron's spread.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/us-counts-over-1-million-new-daily-covid-cases-in-global-record-.html|title=U.S. reports over 1 million new daily Covid cases as omicron surges|date=4 January 2022|work=CNBC|first=Holly|last=Ellyatt}}

A news article on Nature reports there are signals that Omicron does not multiply readily in lung tissue. The latest results could mean that "the virus establishes a very local infection in the upper airways and has less chance to go and wreak havoc in the lungs", which might make it easier "to hitch a ride on material expelled from the nose and mouth, allowing the virus to find new hosts".{{cite journal |last1=Kozlov |first1=Max |title=Omicron's feeble attack on the lungs could make it less dangerous |journal=Nature News |date=5 January 2022 |volume=601 |issue=7892 |page=177 |doi=10.1038/d41586-022-00007-8 |pmid=34987210 |bibcode=2022Natur.601..177K |s2cid=245709042 |doi-access=free }}

India records its first death, a 74-year-old diabetic man with other comorbidities.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59890816|title=Covid-19: India records first death linked to Omicron variant|work=BBC News|date=January 6, 2022}}

WHO announces that Omicron should not be described as "mild" given that the sheer scale of serious infections requiring hospitalization is overwhelming health systems worldwide.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59901547|title=Covid: Deadly Omicron should not be called mild, warns WHO|work=BBC News|date=6 January 2022}} Britain deploys 200 military personnel to assist London hospitals, including 20 doctors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/07/military-deployed-at-london-hospitals-due-to-omicron-staff-shortages|title=Military deployed at London hospitals due to Omicron staff shortages|website=TheGuardian.com|date=7 January 2022}}

Algeria detects 47 new cases; 29 cases from Algiers, 06 cases from Béjaïa, 01 cases from Bouïra, 11 cases from Constantine, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 63 cases.{{Cite news|date=7 January 2022|title=Covid-19: 47 nouveaux cas du variant Omicron détectés en Algérie|url=https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133933-covid-19-47-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109220709/https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/133933-covid-19-47-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|archive-date=9 January 2022|access-date=|website=aps.dz|language=fr}}

Mass testing begins in Tianjin, China, a major port city close to Beijing, after a cluster of twenty cases is discovered, of which at least two are of the Omicron variant.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jan/09/covid-live-news-coronavirus-uk-self-isolation-philippines-new-daily-case-record-latest-updates|title=Covid live news: UK minister says cutting self-isolation would be 'helpful'; Philippines sets new daily case record|first1=Léonie|last1=Chao-Fong|first2=Edward|last2=Helmore|newspaper=The Guardian|date=January 9, 2022|via=theguardian.com}}

Peru register the highest rate of COVID-19 infections with 70,000 cases in a week, with Omicron variant being responsible for the third wave of infections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-reports-highest-ever-weekly-covid-19-case-count-omicron-spreads-2022-01-10/|title=Peru reports highest-ever weekly COVID-19 case count as Omicron spreads|work=Reuters|date=10 January 2022}}

WHO projects that in six to eight weeks half the population of Europe will have caught the variant.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59948920|title=Covid: Half of Europe to be infected with Omicron within weeks - WHO|work=BBC News|date=January 11, 2022}} In the US, 98% of COVID-19 cases the week prior were of the Omicron variant.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/will-record-omicron-cases-cause-a-surge-in-the-severely-ill-scientists-look-for-signs-11641996003|title=Will Record Omicron Cases Cause a Surge in the Severely Ill? Scientists Look for Signs|first1=Josh|last1=Ulick|first2=Taylor|last2=Umlauf|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=January 12, 2022|via=wsj.com}}

Algeria detects 82 new cases; 61 cases from Algiers, 11 cases from Blida, 5 cases in Bouïra, 3 cases from Hassi Messaoud and 1 case in Aïn Defla and Laghouat, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 145 cases.{{Cite news|date=13 January 2022|title=Covid-19: 82 nouveaux cas du variant Omicron détectés en Algérie|url=https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/134236-covid-19-82-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113171821/https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/134236-covid-19-82-nouveaux-cas-du-variant-omicron-detectes-en-algerie|archive-date=13 January 2022|access-date=|website=aps.dz|language=fr}}

US reported its peak number of infections by Omicron variant, US Presidential Chief Advisor, Anthony Fauci, predicted that the Omicron cases would drop by the end of January.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/us-omicron-peak-fauci-predicts-steep-drop-in-cases-toward-end-of-january|title=US omicron peak: Fauci predicts steep drop in cases toward 'end of January'|work=Fox News|first=Kelly|last=Hayes|date=14 January 2022}}

Beijing reports its first locally transmitted case, in the Haidian district.{{Cite web|last=孫聖然|date=2022-01-15|title=新冠肺炎{{!}}北京現首宗Omicron本土個案 患者發病前足跡涉多區|url=https://www.hk01.com/即時中國/724546/新冠肺炎-北京現首宗omicron本土個案-患者發病前足跡涉多區|access-date=2022-01-25|website=香港01|language=zh-HK}}{{Cite web|title=北京新增一宗本土確診 涉及Omicron變種病毒 - RTHK|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1629038-20220115.htm?|access-date=2022-01-25|website=news.rthk.hk|language=zh-hk}} Authorities have published a detailed account of the patient's activities dating back to 31 December, quarantined his workplace and residential compound, and collected 2,430 testing samples from these two locations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/15/beijing-reports-first-its-locally-transmitted-omicron-variant-case|title=Beijing reports its first locally transmitted Omicron variant case|date=January 15, 2022|website=The Guardian}}

In China, health authorities said that their first ever recorded Omicron case could have come from a mail send from Canada.{{Cite web|title=危险快递!北京、深圳奥密克戎"破防"或由国际快递引起-中国科技网|url=http://www.stdaily.com/cehua/Jan19th/202201/6ec7d584176743d2a4687b0d838a31cc.shtml|access-date=2022-01-25|website=stdaily.com}}{{Cite web|last=戴萌萌|title=北京病例近期收到的国际邮件多处核酸阳性|url=https://news.cctv.com/2022/01/17/ARTII5NxjtADIYQ9v1xIfVUb220117.shtml|access-date=2022-01-25|website=news.cctv.com}}{{Cite web|title=最全!国际邮件快件如何收取才安全?专家详解_防控举措_北京经济技术开发区|url=http://kfqgw.beijing.gov.cn/zwgkkfq/ztzl/fkyqbjjkqzxdkfq/fkjckfq/202201/t20220120_2596134.html|access-date=2022-01-25|website=kfqgw.beijing.gov.cn}} However, more than 16,500 tests of those who had contact or possible contact with the index case all came back negative.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/beijing-says-international-mail-is-possible-culprit-in-first-omicron-case-11642421284|title=Beijing Says International Mail Is Possible Culprit in First Omicron Case|date=17 January 2022|work=The Wall Street Journal}}

France reach 464,000 new COVID-19 cases with the Omicron variant rampant unabated, the country registered seven consecutive days surpassing daily 300,000 cases.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/covid-in-france-france-coronavirus-news-coronavirus-in-france-france-records-nearly-half-a-million-record-covid-cases-amid-omicron-surge-2716132|title=France Logs Nearly Half A Million Record Covid Cases Amid Omicron Surge|work=NDTV|date=19 January 2022}}

The Pasteur Institute of Algeria (IPA) announced that it had recorded a total of 400 cases of the Omicron variant in Algeria, which represents 57% of the circulating variants.{{Cite news|date=20 January 2022|title=Coronavirus: 400 cas du variant Omicron enregistrés en Algérie|url=https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/134526-coronavirus-400-cas-du-variant-omicron-enregistres-en-algerie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120215928/https://www.aps.dz/sante-science-technologie/134526-coronavirus-400-cas-du-variant-omicron-enregistres-en-algerie|archive-date=20 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022|page=|website=aps.dz|language=fr}}

New Zealand has reported 34 new Omicron cases, bringing the total number of Omicron community cases to 90.{{cite news |title=Covid-19 update: 45 new community cases, 34 Omicron cases added to total |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460333/covid-19-update-45-new-community-cases-34-omicron-cases-added-to-total |access-date=28 January 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127103413/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460333/covid-19-update-45-new-community-cases-34-omicron-cases-added-to-total |archive-date=27 January 2022|url-status=live}}

New Zealand has reported 15 new Omicron cases, bringing the total number of Omicron community cases to 105.{{cite news |title=Covid-19 update: 105 new community cases, 15 new Omicron cases identified |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460401/covid-19-update-105-new-community-cases-15-new-omicron-cases-identified |access-date=28 January 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128023418/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460401/covid-19-update-105-new-community-cases-15-new-omicron-cases-identified |archive-date=28 January 2022|url-status=live}}

Omicron is confirmed to be a zoonotic disease. In February 2022, the first confirmed case infecting a wild animal was confirmed by researchers at Pennsylvania State University in white-tailed deer in Staten Island, N.Y.{{cite news |title=Why Omicron-infected white-tailed deer pose an especially big risk to humans |url=https://fortune.com/2022/02/08/omicron-infected-white-tail-deer-covid/ |work=Fortune |language=en}}

The BA.2 subvariant accounts for more than a third of all cases globally.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fast-spreading-covid-19-omicron-type-revives-questions-about-opening-up-11645616471|title=Fast-Spreading Covid-19 Omicron Type Revives Questions About Opening Up|first1=Peter|last1=Landers|first2=Miho|last2=Inada|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=February 23, 2022|via=wsj.com}}

The BA2.75.2 subvariant is observed to evade from neutralising antibodies in epidemiological samples.{{Cite journal |last1=Sheward |first1=Daniel J |last2=Kim |first2=Changil |last3=Fischbach |first3=Julian |last4=Sato |first4=Kenta |last5=Muschiol |first5=Sandra |last6=Ehling |first6=Roy A |last7=Björkström |first7=Niklas K |last8=Hedestam |first8=Gunilla B Karlsson |last9=Reddy |first9=Sai T |last10=Albert |first10=Jan |last11=Peacock |first11=Thomas P |last12=Murrell |first12=Ben |date=2022-10-13 |title=Omicron sublineage BA.2.75.2 exhibits extensive escape from neutralising antibodies |journal=The Lancet Infectious Diseases |volume=22 |issue=11 |language=en |pages=1538–1540 |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00663-6|pmid=36244347 |pmc=9560757 }}

On 9 January 2023 the European CDC said there was suggestive evidence the XBB.1.5 variant had a growth advantage; after becoming dominant in the US, it might become dominant in Europe in the following months.{{cite web |publisher=European CDC |date=9 January 2023 |title=Update on SARS-CoV-2 variants: ECDC assessment of the XBB.1.5 sub-lineage |url=https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/update-sars-cov-2-variants-ecdc-assessment-xbb15-sub-lineage}}

{{excerpt|Variants of SARS-CoV-2|Sublineages by year|subsections=yes}}

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