WHO labeled a new coronavirus variant, Omicron, a "variant of concern" on Friday.

The B.1.1.529 variant contains signs of being more transmissible or dangerous than other strains.
But scientists have just begun to examine Omicron's threat, including its unfamiliar mutations.
A coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa has now spread to several other countries, including Israel and Belgium, prompting a spate of travel restrictions across Europe, Asia, and North America.

The new variant, called Omicron, carries a concerning number of mutations that could make it more transmissible or more likely to cause severe disease than the Delta variant, public-health experts say.

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Just the kind of World News, one doesn't want to hear...

The newest State Profile Report shows Missouri remains at the high transmission level of COVID-19. The report shows new cases are up by another 15 percent compared to last week. The state has been on an upward infection rate trend for weeks. The COVID case average in Missouri has jumped 179% in a month. All Missouri counties are considered high community transmission. At this time, 99% of the current cases are the Delta variant.

There are counties in Missouri with a current vaccination rate as low as just 22%; which is lower than the low vaccination rate of South Africa.

The idea of something even worse than Delta (and vaccine resistant) entering the picture is truly frightening. Although not yet reported, local Health Officials here say that Omicrom is undoubtedly already in the US. So its spread here is inevitable.