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Omicron is spreading incredibly rapidly, having first been identified in south africa. The countries that aren't finding omacron probably aren't looking for it. It's growing an explosive rate, at rates we've not seen before since the start of the pandemic. i think it's inevitable itit will lead to a surge in cases, probably a surge in hospitalizations and deaths. And the question is, how big, and will they overwhelm health care systems?

Several weeks after the Omicron variant was first identified, it has quickly spread across the world. Early data are showing clear signals that the latest variant of concern is able to evade immunity and spread at a rate faster than any other variant to date. But many questions remain unanswered about the severity of infection, the protection afforded by natural and vaccine-derived immunity, and the impact Omicron could have on the global pandemic response. In this episode, we delve into the very latest studies to take stock of where we are so far and, in a Coronapod first, take on questions sent in by Coronapod listeners.

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