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Great job everyone! Thanks for getting it out literally minutes from the press release! :) Kylerschin (talk) 18:41, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

KUDOS! I've been adding bits to the omnibus November timeline which can be used. kencf0618 (talk)

Should the Omicron Variant have its own timeline? kencf0618 (talk) 19:05, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I have to remind myself that this article was begun yesterday... I began Timeline of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant minutes ago, and it strikes me that it can, and should, be timed to the minute, press release by press release. (I also began the original timeline on the pandemic the day they shut Wuhan down, so I've some experience in this matter.) kencf0618 (talk) 16:35, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

This article ^[1] from April 21st, 2021 states that variant B1.1.529, now named "omicron", was found in Hidalgo, Mexico and was considered a local variant. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.79.209.54 (talk) 21:05, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

We need more reportage. kencf0618 (talk) 10:59, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

What happened to nu and xi variants?? Georgia guy (talk) 19:51, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

• nu would probably be confused with new, and xi probably to close to Chinese leaders name? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.239.122.210 (talk) 19:54, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  Credit for this reasoning, at least on Wikipedia, goes to (AFAIK) The Anome at Talk:Variants of SARS-CoV-2#"Nu" Omicron variant. Pity we can't include these quite reasonable guesses in the article unless there's an external source, and if there's agreement that it's notable information. Boud (talk) 01:24, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  i've found it being discussed here: https://www.news18.com/news/world/why-omicron-not-nu-or-xi-who-says-two-greek-alphabets-jumped-to-avoid-stigma-4492670.html 87.67.194.41 (talk) 15:45, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  Was also confused after seeing multiple sources refer to this as Nu, also do we need to protect this page from vandalism? There should be a default anti-misinformation mechanism to get attention on this topic, right? Daesin (talk) 01:54, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  If vandalism has been a problem, one may request article protection at WP:RFP. The articles of the Delta and Alpha variants are currently protected, those of Gamma and Beta are not. --Fernando Trebien (talk) 02:21, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The avoidance of Nu & Xi is entirely in keeping with WHO nomenclature protocol. kencf0618 (talk) 09:57, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Nu and Mu variants are there in other countries.49.178.168.249 (talk) 09:39, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Guys, Great work on the article. Where can I find case data by county for this variant, so I can make a map like the one I’ve done in other variants like this

TapticInfo (talk) 20:17, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@TapticInfo: maybe in the sources here if they are reliable. --Fernando Trebien (talk) 23:31, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Ftrebien: Thanks TapticInfo (talk) 12:06, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@TapticInfo: The other articles about variants seem to stick to GISAID and Pangolin as reliable sources, probably due to their work on checking individual reports. Maybe it's interesting to use them as a basis and add other sources only when needed. --Fernando Trebien (talk) 13:15, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

TapticInfo, thanks for all your hard work with the choropleth maps. I'm rather curious about your criterion for shifting from the number of cases to per capita. kencf0618 (talk)

Go to SARS-CoV-2 Nu variant, which is a re-direct here. I support that the re-direct should be deleted because no one will know it as the Nu variant. Any thoughts?? Georgia guy (talk) 21:40, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Support. I don't think people will be searching for a variant that doesn't exist, much less expecting it to redirect here. --Xarm Endris (talk) 22:12, 26 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I disagree and question whether there would be concensus on this because it was called "Nu" in many articles and sources online prior to it being skipped over for Omicron Daesin (talk) 01:56, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

May we add a redirect explanation using Template:Redirect with a little text explaining that there is no nu variant, but that greek letter was expected to be used for the next VOC? Like:

"SARS-CoV-2 Nu variant" redirects here. Nu was expected to be used for the next variant and therefore still appears in media. WHO decided to use omicron instead.

--ElLutzo (talk) 02:18, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

That sounds reasonable given the circumstances. --Super Goku V (talk) 03:33, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

We should also explain its name. Apokrif (talk) 20:41, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I created this tree (derived from a visualization I generated using NextStrain) and wonder if you all think it might be helpful in contextualizing Omicron's evolutionary position in the SARS-CoV-2 lineage? — soupvector (talk) 04:03, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Soupvector: I like that, I think it's useful to show that this isn't in the delta cluster. Opabinia regalis (talk) 07:16, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Looks useful and appropriate. Several different sections could make sense. In the Epidemiology section (the evolutionary tree is related to epidemiology)? or Characteristics (the characteristics relate to evolution)? or Classification (the classification is evolution-related)? Boud (talk) 19:16, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

B.1.1.529 and Omicron are currently in the article. There should be other names, from the other logging databases, and possibly other codenames besides Omicron (VUI-xyz or VOC-xyz for example?) -- 65.92.246.43 (talk) 05:16, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

When they're there, I'm sure they will be added; and also to the Wikidata item SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (Q109739412). -- The Anome (talk) 09:15, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

OK, got some new identifiers here: https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/ The GISAID clade identifier for Omicron is GR/484A, and the Nextstrain clade identifier is 21K. -- The Anome (talk) 09:23, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I have now created the property proposals Wikidata:Property proposal/GISAID identifier and Wikidata:Property proposal/Nextstrain identifier on Wikidata, to contain this information on the Wikidata entities for this and other relevant articles. -- The Anome (talk) 10:06, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

It would be helpful for readers who are not in this field, to provide links to an article that explains the nomenclature for the mutations as well as the variants. — Preceding unsigned comment added by DrKN1 (talk • contribs) 01:32, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Under History it says "the Dutch health ministry estimated that about 85 [...] were infected with the virus." This suggests, in the context of the Omicron page, that these were all Omicron cases. However that is not true, the virus variant of those cases has not been determined yet. 2A02:A465:8E35:1:ADC3:FC05:2E61:3D9B (talk) 07:29, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

A discussion is taking place to address the redirect South African variant. The discussion will occur at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2021 November 27#South African variant until a consensus is reached, and readers of this page are welcome to contribute to the discussion. Joseph2302 (talk) 09:13, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

OK, there's a source that says that the price of assorted cryptocurrencies fell, but I can't see any actual link beyond merely happening at the same time: "Bitcoin itself has been under pressure since .. earlier this month", i.e. the effects of the most recent Tether magic money tree pump were wearing off. It's been shown repeatedly that the price changes of Bitcoin in particular are far more around such pumps and - on a more short term level - 'Barts' to burn margin traders rather than anything in the real world, short of things like China banning mining. This is not that. Lose it? --13:53, 27 November 2021 (UTC)Lovingboth (talk)

Cryptocurrency is a risk asset too. Show us particular pumps and whales and you might have a point, but as it is markets are a sea of red everywhere due to Omicron. kencf0618 (talk) 15:55, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

In the article Hong Kong is said to have reported one case. There have actually been two, from the very moment it was announced that the B.1.1.529 strain was detected in their samples.[1][2][3][4] On the other hand the territory has also ban travel from southern Africa.[5][6] 1.64.47.144 (talk) 14:38, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

We need a table for the plethora of aviation restrictions. Several countries have implemented such against... several southern African states by now? Which? We need more detail, and in table format rather than prose, methinks. kencf0618 (talk) 16:39, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Probably Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic would be a better place. But requirements changed often even before omicron. The IATA Travel Centre^[1] is usually a good reference for the current situation, but there may be some delays. --Fernando Trebien (talk) 19:20, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

That's an excellent reference, but not Omicron specific, which is what we're here for. I'll dig around a bit... kencf0618 (talk) 19:32, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Apokrif (talk) 20:33, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

No. kencf0618 (talk) 20:45, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

According to the Government of Botswana, it was travellers who had it there first - not local residents. --2001:8003:DDB1:C600:E4DA:3B11:9302:2016 (talk) 20:59, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

It doesn't say international travelers. kencf0618 (talk) 11:04, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The world total comprises 9 countries, not 8; please correct. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.196.170.191 (talk) 22:46, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

 Done --Fernando Trebien (talk) 23:00, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Should this be All four initial cases reported from Botswana occurred among fully vaccinated visitors.? Since the four individuals are not natives of Botswana. --2001:8003:DDB1:C600:55F3:F0D1:C395:CA42 (talk) 23:33, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Source here. --2001:8003:DDB1:C600:55F3:F0D1:C395:CA42 (talk) 23:35, 27 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Milder disease than other variants (symptoms include body aches, fatigue and slight cough). Rapid heart rate also possible. 2601:543:8101:F950:6B:F70C:577:AA64 (talk) 00:29, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Citation needed. kencf0618 (talk) 11:05, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

is there an impact on later flow tests, Roche antibody test, PCR tests? as in do they detect omnicron or not? or do some essays need to be adjusted? cannot find this information anywhere right now. 2A01:4B00:85FD:D700:A5A6:2CF0:693E:4D44 (talk) 01:12, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Check the diagnosis section. kencf0618 (talk) 11:05, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

If this variant was detected with people coming from Malawi, Madagascar and Egypt -as the article claims - then there were cases there of this variant. Why are these countries not listed in the "Confirmed cases by country"? The person must have caught it where they originated from. I can understand if someone flew from South Africa and had a lay over in one of these, but in these cases they did not fly South Africa to Madagascar to Germany for example. I think if the map is put in then this should be marked. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.153.64.166 (talk) 05:40, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Because for example the Egypt case was detected in Belgium, not in Egypt. Belgium is listed.--Ymblanter (talk) 09:08, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

BUT it must have been in Egypt even if it was not confirmed and tested there (in that case it is not so clear). But anyone in Malawi that then went somewhere else and was detected with it must have had it in Malawi too. So I know this screws up the calculations for the table adding up the numbers. BUT for the map - it could be added.

BTW now cases in Austria. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.153.64.166 (talk) 10:18, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Deducing the infection site like this is not straightforward. The person coming from Egypt could have been there in a connecting flight or could have stayed in Egypt only briefly and caught it somewhere else earlier. And if the case was detected a few days after landing, then the person could have caught it on the flight or at any of the airports. --Fernando Trebien (talk) 12:36, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

How good is this vaccine? Even the delta variant is not covered by the vaccine. This is also not discussed in the delta variant article.49.178.168.249 (talk) 09:38, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Which vaccine? kencf0618 (talk) 11:06, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Covid Vaccines. The one we have so far.49.178.203.107 (talk) 12:39, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I noticed. There was another South Africa variant earlier this year.49.178.168.249 (talk) 09:40, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

. 203.194.55.212 (talk) 09:55, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

As of this writing, no. kencf0618 (talk) 11:08, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The article here is misleading:https://theconversation.com/travel-bans-arent-the-answer-to-stopping-new-covid-variant-omicron-172736

How can they say that travel bans are not effective? Travel bans - alongside other measures - slow down or stop the spread.49.178.168.249 (talk) 09:57, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The title says "not the answer", it doesn't say "not effective". However, a reason for the ineffectiveness is given in the text of the article: "But Omicron has already been detected in other regions, including the UK, Germany, Israel, Hong Kong and Belgium. So while a travel ban on southern African countries may slow the spread and buy limited time, it's unlikely to stop it." A nearly complete lockdown of all borders - and intracountry borders between regions, towns, villages, suburbs, China-style - would be effective if the whole world were a dictatorship. But it's not. The article as a whole gives the author's arguments for why a travel ban is "not the answer".

More to the point: The Conversation is generally considered reliable as far as I know, and the text used in this Wikipedia article from the source seem to be a fair summary of key points made in the source. Boud (talk) 19:01, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/europe/omicron-two-denmark-returnees-from-south-africa-test-positive-for-new-covid-19-variant.html

https://www.stol.it/artikel/chronik/erster-omikron-verdacht-in-oesterreich-aus-nordtirol-gemeldet — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.153.64.166 (talk) 10:20, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I support that any article with the {{current}} template must have it removed once the newest edit is more than 10 minutes old. Any opinions anyone has on this?? Georgia guy (talk) 15:14, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

This obviously does not make any sense. The template says that the article is not necessarily up to date, and the fact that it has been last edited less than ten minutes ago does not change this. Additionally, a logical fallacy would be that it is impossible to add the template since it would have to be immediately removed.--Ymblanter (talk) 15:26, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

And re-added. And removed. And re-added... -- The Anome (talk) 15:53, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

While that's an interesting metric, it's not a useful one. The rate of editing activity undoubtedly correlates with page views. Furthermore this is going to be a current event for a long, long while... kencf0618 (talk) 15:54, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

From the documentation: Generally it is expected that this template and its closely related templates will appear on an article for less than a day; occasionally longer. I think this should stay as long as Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. How I understand those two together is: it should stay there while we see significant changes to the event most days. Case counts are not so significant, but perhaps first detections in specific countries are. I'd say it would stay on for a few more days, but then it may have to be re-added as the variant is fully characterized by scientists. --Fernando Trebien (talk) 16:48, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hello everybody. I found that in a article on Haaretz, there were twelve suspected cases of Omicron. I had to edit. Link: https://www.haaretz.com/amp/israel-news/top-israeli-health-expert-covid-vaccine-reduces-severe-illness-in-omicron-cases-1.10421310 Ant1234567 (talk) 20:14, 28 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]