The Omicron variant of COVID-19 seems to be the next big thing that scientists around the globe are concerned about, similar to what happened when the Delta variant started emerging. However, not much is known about the newest strain — first detected in South Africa.

For now, the extra-contagious Delta variant accounts for practically all cases in the United States and continues to inflict misery at a time when many hospitals are struggling with shortages of nurses and a backlog of patients undergoing procedures that had been put off early in the pandemic.

Also Read: Omicron may turn out to be deadlier than Delta, says South African scientist

However, scientists observing the fast spread of COVID-19 South Africa are concerned that that the new variant may be even more contagious than its predecessor. The new daily cases nearly doubled to 8,561 on Wednesday in the country.

It appears that omicron is “rapidly becoming the dominant variant” in South Africa, according to a statement issued by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. The institute said that 74% of the 249 samples sequenced in November were identified as Omicron.

Dr Nirav Shah, Center for Disease Control and Prevention director of state in Maine, said in a statement, “Omicron is a spark that is on the horizon. Delta variant is the fire that’s here today”, according to reports from Associated Press.

Also Read: Will omicron outrun Delta? Will jabs still work? Scientists compare notes

Two years into the outbreak, COVID-19 has killed over 780,000 Americans, and deaths are running at about 900 per day, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, United States has recorded eight cases of the Omicron variant — one in California and the second in Minnesota, one in Colorado and five in New York, All three individuals who tested positive– outside New York– had been vaccinated against the deadly disease. The vaccination status of those who tested positive for the new variant remains unclear.