B.1.1.529 (Omicron): Likely first concerning Covid variant since Delta, though still many unknowns. The emergence of this variant is a shot across the bow and underscores why it’s so urgent we address vaccine inequity. Here’s what we know and don’t know about Omicron. 1/thread
The South Africa Health Ministry did the right thing and its actions will save lives: quickly identified Omicron through sequencing where there is evidence of increased transmission and immediately shared this information with the world. @WHO labeled it a Variant of Concern. 2/
The rapidity with which the Omicron variant has become predominant in Gauteng Province is concerning. Evidence from other provinces suggests the variant has already spread across South Africa. B.1.1.529 has now been detected in samples from patients in multiple countries. 3/ 
The Omicron variant has >30 mutations in the spike protein. That’s a lot. Some are associated with increased transmission and possible immune escape, though not possible to predict reliably how the variant will act in the real world. 4/
https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1464353245380243457
Data suggests Omicron may be even more easily spread than Delta (which was already 2X more transmissible than the original strain.) We don’t have data yet on whether or not Omicron causes more severe or less severe illness or can escape existing immunity. 5/
One piece of good news: we can easily track spread because B.1.1.529 causes something called S-gene target failure which creates a specific pattern in PCR test results. This can make it easier to spot than Delta. 6/
Lots more we need to find out. Major q's:
More transmissible?
Able to evade vaccine and/or infection-induced immunity?
More severe illness?
Getting science right can take time. Epidemiologists get this; many in media don’t. The more we learn, the better we can fight Covid. 7/
More transmissible?
Able to evade vaccine and/or infection-induced immunity?
More severe illness?
Getting science right can take time. Epidemiologists get this; many in media don’t. The more we learn, the better we can fight Covid. 7/
How might Omicron affect treatment, including Regeneron as well as new antiviral medications? Time will tell whether they'll continue to be as effective for strains with these mutations. 8/
The virus that causes Covid adapts—faster than many thought possible. We too must adapt, working together around the world. A global pandemic requires a global response. 9/end
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