INTERNATIONAL: The Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission. The World Health Organization has revealed its assessment in a conference on Saturday.

According to a technical brief released by the World Health Organization, the infection of the Omicron coronavirus variant is showing an apparent growth trend compared with that of the Delta variant. The WHO report pointed out that by Thursday, the rapidly spreading Omicron has been found in 89 countries and regions around the world. The agency has said Omicron is spreading much faster than the Delta strain in such regions. Not much is still known about it three weeks after the WHO designated Omicron a variant of concern.

The agency says more data are needed to judge the severity of the illness it causes. It said Omicron is spread rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity. But it’s unclear if that’s due to its ability to evade immunity, its inherent increased transmissibility, or a combination of both. It warns that hospitals could be overwhelmed in some places. WHO’s current data shows Omicron strain is very likely to replace Delta as the dominant variant in areas with community transmission.