What is omicron? Old rules apply to new variant

Researchers around the world are studying the new coronavirus variant, omicron. Scientists are working to better understand how easily the virus spreads, how severe it is and whether current vaccines protect against it.

What we do know is that omicron (formally B.1.1.529) is a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID. Omicron was first detected in the United States on Dec. 1 in a traveler who had returned to California from South Africa. Currently, delta is still the dominant variant in the U.S. and Montana and represents more than 99% of circulating strains.

Although we are still learning about omicron, we’ve been fighting COVID since last year and know what prevention strategies help protect people from COVID.