Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director of Rochelle Walensky announced Tuesday that the omicron Covid-19 variant has been discovered in at least 50 countries as well as 19 U.S. states. This has prompted travel restrictions around the world and new vaccine mandates.

Walensky stated that while we still have to fully understand the severity and how vaccines work, it is possible to predict that the same precautions will provide protection at most against omicron. She reiterated her desire to be vaccinated.

Chief medical advisor to the White House Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that scientists need data that will show how vaccines today are able to withstand the new variant. It contains many mutations which make it more contagious.

This is a breaking story. Stay tuned for new updates.