Although the Covid new strain of omicron Covid has put many countries on alert, most infections currently are caused by the delta variant according to the World Health Organization.

CNBC’s Soumya Swminathan, WHO chief scientist and spokesperson for the Delta variant said “Over 99% of the cases are caused by the delta variant”Squawk Box AsiaOn Monday, “I believe that this is our top priority as we wait for more information. [the omicron] variant.”

Global health agency last week recognized the omicron variation, originally referred to lineage B.1.1.529. a variant of concern. It could also be more contagious or more virulent than other strains. South African scientists were the first to identify this strain.

Delta on the other side was discovered for the first time in India.

Health experts are concernedThe transmissibility issue of the omicron variation is unknown due to its peculiar constellation of mutations, and profile which differs from other variants of concern.

U.S. infectious Disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said that “the profile of the mutations strongly suggests that it will have an advantage in transmissibility” and could evade the immune protection that one would receive, for instance, from monoclonal antibodies, convalescent sera after infected persons, or even from vaccine-induced antibody. told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

Fauci said, “So while it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will happen but it is a strong indicator that we need to really be prepared for it.”

Swaminathan from WHO stated to CNBC that scientists require time for experiments and data collection that could help answer fundamental questions about the new variant.

What we want to know is if the variant of delta is even more transmissible? It would be interesting to find out if the clinical pattern is different, if it is more serious, and more dangerous when it causes illness. She added, “And finally, and most importantly, is it possible to evade immune reactions either after natural infections or vaccines?”

Her appeal was also to countries that have detected the omicron variation to send their data to WHO for scientists to analyze.

Multiple locations have now detected the omicron variant, which includes United Kingdom, Israel, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Australia. To stop the spread of this new strain, many countries placed restrictions on traveling from south Africa.

Covid vaccine makers Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca they are investigating and testing the omicron variant.

Swaminathan from WHO stated that at the moment it’s reasonable to believe that current vaccines, while not providing full protection, will be sufficient.

She stated that “it’s important for everyone out there, whether they’re still unvaccinated or have received only one dose of vaccines, to get the full course.”

Swaminathan said, “I believe we still have an enormous number of people in the world that haven’t received their first vaccines. We also know that the main cause of the global pandemic is the delta variant.”

Information compiled by Our World In DataAround 43% of world’s population was fully immunized against Covid-19. However, only 16% of those living in poor countries received at least one dose.

The WHO has repeatedly criticized global vaccine inequityMost shots were administered in middle or affluent countries. This includes booster doses.