http://www.newsweek.com/omicron-covid-variant-symptoms-vaccine-pfizer-moderna-transmissibility-1659608 > About one month ago, scientists were collecting samples from COVID patients that would end up being the first reported cases of the variant B.1.1.529—better known as Omicron. > Thanks to the diligence of researchers in Hong Kong, South Africa and Botswana, where some of the earliest samples were sequenced—as well as those who raised the alarm—the world became aware of a startling new coronavirus variant.