The White House COVID-19 response team warns people of the dangers of the new, more transmittable COVID-19 variant named Omicron. 

Dr. Fauci, Director of the NIAID, addressed the nation with CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to give more information on the new strand and background details on the properties of the new virus. 

“This mutational profile is very different from other variants of interest and concern. And although some mutations are also found in delta, this is not delta. It’s something different,” Fauci says. “And these mutations have been associated with increased transmissibility.” 

Fauci also mentions the molecular configuration of particular variants suggests strongly there’s an increased transmission rate compared with the original pandemic virus. 

According to Fauci, even with an increased ability to transmit itself, Omicron can still be hindered in its spread with vaccines, particularly with boosters. Given the level of antibodies created from the vaccines even with variants like Delta on the rise, there is a degree of cross-protection, particularly against severe diseases. 

Dr. Walensky adds that while this new virus is unpredictable, the world is better prepared to adapt to this new threat. 

“One thing has become clear over the last 20 months. We cannot predict the future but we can prepare for it and we have been doing exactly that, preparing for this moment,” Walensky said. 

Both experts believe while this new variant could be problematic, the world has safeguards and resources to combat this new threat.