WHO says 'not to panic' over omicron with no deaths reported

But new variant can become dominant globally: chief scientist

People line up to get tested for the coronavirus at a mobile testing site in New York as omicron cases are confirmed in the U.S. © Reuters

MINORU SATAKE and RINTARO HOSOKAWA, Nikkei staff writers

December 5, 2021 01:16 JST

LONDON/VIENNA -- The new omicron coronavirus variant is spreading across the globe at a rapid clip, but many cases appear to be mild or without symptoms, prompting the World Health Organization to call for calm.

At least 40 countries and regions have reported cases of the new variant, and community spread seems to be underway in many regions. But a WHO spokesperson said Friday that no deaths have been reported from the new variant so far.