Scientists in South Africa, in early studies of people infected with omicron COVID, are finding that this new variant is at least three times as likely to cause re-infections in people.  The new mutations found in omicron seem to be making it easier for the virus to evade immunity built up from prior infections.

This property of omicron could make it much easier--and faster--to spread around the world.

Dr. Syra Madad is senior director of the special pathogens program for the New York City Hospital System; she was featured in the Netflix documentary "Pandemic:  How to Prevent an Outbreak."

Scientists in South Africa, in early studies of people infected with omicron COVID, are finding that this new variant is at least three times as likely to cause re-infections in people. &nbsp;The new mutations found in omicron seem to be making it easier for the virus to evade immunity built up from prior infections.
This property of omicron could make it much easier--and faster--to spread around the world.
Dr. Syra Madad is senior director of the special pathogens program for the New York City Hospital System; she was featured in the Netflix documentary "Pandemic: &nbsp;How to Prevent an Outbreak."

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