University of Chicago Medicine Since COVID-19 first appeared, different variants of the virus that causes the illness have emerged, including Omicron, which was first identified in 2021. A new form of the Omicron variant has recently appeared in the United States, with the potential to cause an increase in infections in the coming months.
While the new variant is being closely monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and currently appears to pose low risk for severe illness, it’s important to stay informed and cautious. With recent major structural changes to the U.S. public health infrastructure, including shifts at the federal level, timely guidance and coordinated response may be less predictable — making individual preventive measures and staying up to date on vaccinations more important than ever.
As an infectious diseases expert, I want to help people stay informed. Below are answers to common questions about variants.