South African scientists discovered a new and possibly more contagious variant of the coronavirus, prompting another round of travel restrictions worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Omicron as an additional strain of concern on Friday, November 26, while investigations of the variant are underway as advisers monitor the situation. Scientists emphasize that there is still a lot of unknowns regarding Omicron, such as if the variant is more contagious, if it results in more severe infection, and what effect it might have on vaccination effectiveness. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, says the Omicron variety was extremely infectious in South Africa, but this does not suggest the strain will spread internationally. However, Omicron contains identical modifications to the Delta version and is assumed to spread more quickly, says Salim Abdool Karim, former co-chair of the South African Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19.

In a statement, Karim added that further answers may be expected in a few weeks. A South African doctor shared that the Omicron cases she has seen so far have been minor. Those infected may experience fatigue for one or two days, followed by headaches and body aches. “Some of them will have what they call a scratch throat, and some will have a cough, a dry cough. But it’s not a constant cough. It comes and goes,” the doctor explained.