The first cases of the Omicron variant identified around the world - CNN

The first cases of the Omicron variant identified around the world

Expert explains how we'll know if vaccines work against Omicron variant
Expert explains how we'll know if vaccines work against Omicron variant

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    Expert explains how we'll know if vaccines work against Omicron variant

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Expert explains how we'll know if vaccines work against Omicron variant 02:14

London (CNN)Editor's note: The Omicron coronavirus variant has now been identified in dozens of countries globally and this story will no longer be updated. Follow the latest updates on the spread of the variant here.

Nations around the world are racing to identify how many cases of the Omicron variant they have, as fears over the new strain force governments to shutter borders and revisit restrictions.
    The new mutation, which is potentially more transmissible, was first discovered in South Africa and has since been detected in several countries.
      Here's a list of the places which were reporting cases as of December 1, 2021.
      Australia: 7 cases
      Austria: 1 case
        Belgium: 1 case
        Botswana: 19 cases
        Brazil: 2 cases
        Canada: 6 cases
        Czech Republic: 1 case
        Denmark: 4 cases
        France: 1 case (on Reunion Island)
        Germany: 9 cases
        Hong Kong: 4 cases
        Israel: 4 cases
        Italy: 9 cases
        Japan: 2 cases
        Netherlands: 16 cases
        Nigeria: 3 cases
        Norway: 2 cases
        Portugal: 13 cases
        Saudi Arabia: 1 case
        South Africa: 77 cases
        South Korea: 5 cases
        Spain: 2 cases
        Sweden: 3 cases
          United Kingdom: 22 cases
          United States: 1 case