The heavily-mutated omicron Covid-19 variantThis has been confirmed in many more countries, as the governments of all parts of the world consider restrictive and new travel bans.

Monday was Monday for the World Health Organization. It stated that this variant poses a very high global risk and could cause severe consequences. This is because some mutations in it may bypass immune protection, making them more susceptible to transmission.

However, South African doctor who first raised the alarmAngelique Coetzee explained to the BBC on Sunday, that symptoms associated with the strain have so far been extremely mild.

As of Monday morning, nine U.K. cases had been identified. Six of these cases are located in Scotland. Portugal and the Netherlands have 13 each.

In Europe, there have been a few isolated cases in Germany and Belgium.

Travel bans

Australia reported five cases. It will temporarily stop the next phase of its plan for reopening borders until more information on the variant is available. Canada and Hong Kong have reported cases.

Around the world, scientists are racing to evaluate omicron’s ability to evade current vaccines and natural immunity. However, the WHO states that it may take weeks for them to understand its impact on diagnostics as well as therapeutics and vaccines.

The variant, formerly known as B.1.1.529 in South Africa, is increasing rapidly according to early data. This could indicate that the virus, which was previously called B.1.1.529 may be starting to cause a new wave. according to analysis by the Financial Times.

On Monday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, said that the finding of an omicron variant of the virus “underlines how dangerous and precarious” our current situation.

He said that South Africa was responsible for the first identification of the strain and should be credited with its sequencing, reporting, and detection of it. Not “penalized,” as in travel bans.

On Friday, the U.K. imposed a temporary ban on travel from six countries in southern Africa. Travel restrictions have been placed by the U.S. from South Africa and Botswana as well as Namibia, Lesotho (Eswatini), Mozambique, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique. Japan, which will close all its borders to foreigners on Tuesday, will be the second after Israel.

WHO encouraged wealthy nations to pool their vaccine supplies and stated that the inequity in vaccine supply will allow for “spread” and evolution of the virus in ways they cannot prevent or predict.

Tedros pointed out that over 80% of vaccines in the world had been distributed to G-20 countries. However, low-income countries (many of which are located in Africa) received only 0.6%.

Vaccine booster hopes

Europe was already experiencing rising cases due to the highly viral and globally dominant “delta” variant. Some countries were seeing record numbers and social restrictions had to be imposed.

CNBC was informed Monday by Dr. Kavita Pantel from Brookings Institution that scientists will need to take around one to two weeks to recreate the virus and determine if it can be neutralized with existing antibodies.

Patel said that travel restrictions are ineffective. Instead, countries should focus on isolating and testing cases. The existing PCR test apparatus detects this new strain. Patel also said that researchers are hopeful about existing vaccines being able to fight off the omicron.

These variant-specific antibodies are not what the current vaccines produce. Patel explained that vaccines are trying to create a broad immune response. “Here’s the beauty of the human body: B-cells, which make antibodies, actually have the ability tailor antibody responses for incoming threats to your system.”

Her comments were backed up by compelling evidence that boosters for vaccines increase immune system, which highlights the importance of getting vaccinated.

Holly Ellyatt, CNBC contributed to this report.