SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant: No Time to Wait!

On November 26th, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), B.1.1.529, was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern (VOC) and named Omicron. The news raised an international alarm about a new wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak, since Omicron has a large group of mutations, which may affect the way it spread, cause disease, and escape from the immunity. Therefore, it is essential to take a closer look at how it has emerged, how it may sustain the pandemic, and how we can act correspondingly, both nationally and internationally, to help controlling the spread of the disease. (www.actabiomedica.it)