and is provided in this format here as a response to the exceptional public-health crisis. This accepted manuscript will continue through the processes of copy editing and formatting to publication of a finalized version of record on nature.com. Please note there may be errors present in this version, which may affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.
The Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was initially identified in November of 2021 in South Africa and Botswana as well as in a sample from a traveler from South Africa in Hong Kong. Since then, B.1.1.529 has been detected globally. This variant seems to be at least equally infectious than B.1.617.2 , has already caused super spreader eventsand has outcompeted Delta within weeks in several countries and metropolitan areas. B.1.1.