Explainer: What do we know about the Omicron variant?

The Omicron strain of coronavirus has been designated a ‘variant of concern’ (PA)

The new Omicron coronavirus variant has shown the “pandemic is far from over”, health officials have said.

Scientists have said they are concerned about the B.1.1.529 variant as it has around 30 different mutations – which is double the number present in the Delta variant.