Health officials in the Netherlands today said they have detected the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant in two samples collected before travel measures took effect, raising the possibility of earlier and wider spread than originally thought.As countries bar travel to southern African countries to assess the arrival of the new variant and attempt to limit its spread, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) today again pushed back on wide-ranging travel bans.
In other developments, companies that make vaccines and treatments are airing concerns about potential drops in effectiveness, which today resulted in more stock market jitters.Netherlands probes earlier cases, adds new details about flight test resultsIn a statement today, the