COVID-19: WHO chief scientist says Omicron variant ‘quite infectious’ but must not panic
Videos
-
COVID-19: WHO chief scientist says Omicron variant ‘quite infectious’ but must not panic
02:22 | December 3, 2021
-
Auto theft trending toward ‘pre-crisis levels’ across Canada: report
00:34 | August 11, 2026
-
U.S. Senate committee holds Dr. Fauci in contempt over refusal to answer questions
01:56 | August 6, 2026
-
Fauci faces possible contempt charge after U.S. Senate committee vote
01:51 | August 6, 2026
-
Dr. Fauci invokes 5th Amendment during U.S. Senate hearing, refuses to answer any questions
05:20 | July 29, 2026
-
Conservative MP calls for public participation in COVID-19 vaccine injury inquiry
03:37 | July 9, 2026
-
Thousands of Canadians injured by COVID-19 vaccines to get chance to share their stories in Ottawa
01:38 | June 7, 2026
-
Doctors reiterate hantavirus ‘very different disease’ from COVID-19
01:58 | May 11, 2026
-
Changes to U.S. CDC child vaccine recommendations spark backlash
02:12 | January 6, 2026
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine can offer protection in pregnancy, new study finds
02:30 | December 16, 2025
-
Health Matters: Rising measles cases being fueled in part by vaccine hesitancy around the world, study shows
02:34 | October 28, 2025
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine may help cancer treatments, study finds
02:17 | October 23, 2025
-
‘Freedom Convoy’ leaders Tamara Lich, Chris Barber sentenced 12 months house arrest, 6 months curfew
00:31 | October 7, 2025
-
Health Matters: Obesity on the rise among Canadian adults
02:33 | October 2, 2025
-
Quebec joins Alberta in ending free COVID-19 vaccines for some people
02:04 | September 18, 2025
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 positivity rate increasing across Canada, report shows
02:23 | September 15, 2025
-
Coldplay once hit pause on touring, but their comeback is unlike anything you’ve ever seen
04:21 | September 8, 2025
-
Camila Cabello’s ‘Familia’: Positives of the pandemic and how it inspired her Latin pop album
03:27 | August 28, 2025
-
Health Matters: What to know about the summer COVID-19 variant ‘Stratus’
02:29 | August 15, 2025
-
Crown seeks up to 8 years in prison for mischief for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers
01:46 | July 23, 2025
-
Health Matters: Obesity rates increased during COVID-19 pandemic
02:30 | July 14, 2025
-
Health Matters: RFK Jr. ousts vaccine advisory committee
02:10 | June 10, 2025
-
Health Matters: Gynecologists recommend COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, while breastfeeding
02:29 | May 29, 2025
-
Doctor reflects on five-year anniversary of Covid
05:48 | March 14, 2025
-
How life has changed 5 years after COVID-19 pandemic began
01:56 | March 11, 2025
-
Deaths from alcohol increased during COVID pandemic: study
01:42 | February 3, 2025
-
Critics push back against Alberta COVID-19 vaccine report
02:14 | January 26, 2025
-
The impact of the so-called ‘Quad-demic’
04:53 | January 17, 2025
-
U.S. presidency ‘has been the honour of my life,’ Biden says during White House toast
01:49 | November 23, 2024
-
‘Shattered the system’: Conservatives question Trudeau’s immigration policy change
03:41 | October 24, 2024
-
The Morning Show: October 18
44:27 | October 18, 2024
-
Eva Mendes cereal controversy: What you need to know about food dye
04:44 | October 18, 2024
-
COVID-19: WHO chief scientist says Omicron variant ‘quite infectious’ but must not panic
02:22 | December 3, 2021
-
Auto theft trending toward ‘pre-crisis levels’ across Canada: report
00:34 | August 11, 2026
-
U.S. Senate committee holds Dr. Fauci in contempt over refusal to answer questions
01:56 | August 6, 2026
-
Fauci faces possible contempt charge after U.S. Senate committee vote
01:51 | August 6, 2026
-
Dr. Fauci invokes 5th Amendment during U.S. Senate hearing, refuses to answer any questions
05:20 | July 29, 2026
-
Conservative MP calls for public participation in COVID-19 vaccine injury inquiry
03:37 | July 9, 2026
-
Thousands of Canadians injured by COVID-19 vaccines to get chance to share their stories in Ottawa
01:38 | June 7, 2026
-
Doctors reiterate hantavirus ‘very different disease’ from COVID-19
01:58 | May 11, 2026
-
Changes to U.S. CDC child vaccine recommendations spark backlash
02:12 | January 6, 2026
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine can offer protection in pregnancy, new study finds
02:30 | December 16, 2025
-
Health Matters: Rising measles cases being fueled in part by vaccine hesitancy around the world, study shows
02:34 | October 28, 2025
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine may help cancer treatments, study finds
02:17 | October 23, 2025
-
‘Freedom Convoy’ leaders Tamara Lich, Chris Barber sentenced 12 months house arrest, 6 months curfew
00:31 | October 7, 2025
-
Health Matters: Obesity on the rise among Canadian adults
02:33 | October 2, 2025
-
Quebec joins Alberta in ending free COVID-19 vaccines for some people
02:04 | September 18, 2025
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 positivity rate increasing across Canada, report shows
02:23 | September 15, 2025
-
Coldplay once hit pause on touring, but their comeback is unlike anything you’ve ever seen
04:21 | September 8, 2025
-
Camila Cabello’s ‘Familia’: Positives of the pandemic and how it inspired her Latin pop album
03:27 | August 28, 2025
-
Health Matters: What to know about the summer COVID-19 variant ‘Stratus’
02:29 | August 15, 2025
-
Crown seeks up to 8 years in prison for mischief for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers
01:46 | July 23, 2025
-
Health Matters: Obesity rates increased during COVID-19 pandemic
02:30 | July 14, 2025
-
Health Matters: RFK Jr. ousts vaccine advisory committee
02:10 | June 10, 2025
-
Health Matters: Gynecologists recommend COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, while breastfeeding
02:29 | May 29, 2025
-
Doctor reflects on five-year anniversary of Covid
05:48 | March 14, 2025
-
How life has changed 5 years after COVID-19 pandemic began
01:56 | March 11, 2025
-
Deaths from alcohol increased during COVID pandemic: study
01:42 | February 3, 2025
-
Critics push back against Alberta COVID-19 vaccine report
02:14 | January 26, 2025
-
The impact of the so-called ‘Quad-demic’
04:53 | January 17, 2025
-
U.S. presidency ‘has been the honour of my life,’ Biden says during White House toast
01:49 | November 23, 2024
-
‘Shattered the system’: Conservatives question Trudeau’s immigration policy change
03:41 | October 24, 2024
-
The Morning Show: October 18
44:27 | October 18, 2024
-
Eva Mendes cereal controversy: What you need to know about food dye
04:44 | October 18, 2024
COVID-19: WHO chief scientist says Omicron variant ‘quite infectious’ but must not panic
Description
December 3, 2021
The World Health Organization's (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on Friday that while the new COVID-19 Omicron variant appeared to be very transmissible, the right response was to be prepared, cautious and not panic. “We're in a different situation today than we were at the beginning of 2020. We have tools, we know what to do, we know what works,” she stated.
-
COVID-19: WHO chief scientist says Omicron variant ‘quite infectious’ but must not panic02:22 | December 3, 2021 -
Auto theft trending toward ‘pre-crisis levels’ across Canada: report00:34 | August 11, 2026 -
U.S. Senate committee holds Dr. Fauci in contempt over refusal to answer questions01:56 | August 6, 2026 -
Fauci faces possible contempt charge after U.S. Senate committee vote01:51 | August 6, 2026 -
Dr. Fauci invokes 5th Amendment during U.S. Senate hearing, refuses to answer any questions05:20 | July 29, 2026 -
Conservative MP calls for public participation in COVID-19 vaccine injury inquiry03:37 | July 9, 2026 -
Thousands of Canadians injured by COVID-19 vaccines to get chance to share their stories in Ottawa01:38 | June 7, 2026 -
Doctors reiterate hantavirus ‘very different disease’ from COVID-1901:58 | May 11, 2026 -
Changes to U.S. CDC child vaccine recommendations spark backlash02:12 | January 6, 2026 -
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine can offer protection in pregnancy, new study finds02:30 | December 16, 2025 -
Health Matters: Rising measles cases being fueled in part by vaccine hesitancy around the world, study shows02:34 | October 28, 2025 -
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine may help cancer treatments, study finds02:17 | October 23, 2025 -
‘Freedom Convoy’ leaders Tamara Lich, Chris Barber sentenced 12 months house arrest, 6 months curfew00:31 | October 7, 2025 -
Health Matters: Obesity on the rise among Canadian adults02:33 | October 2, 2025 -
Quebec joins Alberta in ending free COVID-19 vaccines for some people02:04 | September 18, 2025 -
Health Matters: COVID-19 positivity rate increasing across Canada, report shows02:23 | September 15, 2025 -
Coldplay once hit pause on touring, but their comeback is unlike anything you’ve ever seen04:21 | September 8, 2025 -
Camila Cabello’s ‘Familia’: Positives of the pandemic and how it inspired her Latin pop album03:27 | August 28, 2025 -
Health Matters: What to know about the summer COVID-19 variant ‘Stratus’02:29 | August 15, 2025 -
Crown seeks up to 8 years in prison for mischief for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers01:46 | July 23, 2025 -
Health Matters: Obesity rates increased during COVID-19 pandemic02:30 | July 14, 2025 -
Health Matters: RFK Jr. ousts vaccine advisory committee02:10 | June 10, 2025 -
Health Matters: Gynecologists recommend COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, while breastfeeding02:29 | May 29, 2025 -
Doctor reflects on five-year anniversary of Covid05:48 | March 14, 2025 -
How life has changed 5 years after COVID-19 pandemic began01:56 | March 11, 2025 -
Deaths from alcohol increased during COVID pandemic: study01:42 | February 3, 2025 -
Critics push back against Alberta COVID-19 vaccine report02:14 | January 26, 2025 -
The impact of the so-called ‘Quad-demic’04:53 | January 17, 2025 -
U.S. presidency ‘has been the honour of my life,’ Biden says during White House toast01:49 | November 23, 2024 -
‘Shattered the system’: Conservatives question Trudeau’s immigration policy change03:41 | October 24, 2024 -
The Morning Show: October 1844:27 | October 18, 2024 -
Eva Mendes cereal controversy: What you need to know about food dye04:44 | October 18, 2024
-
COVID-19: WHO chief scientist says Omicron variant ‘quite infectious’ but must not panic02:22 | December 3, 2021
-
Auto theft trending toward ‘pre-crisis levels’ across Canada: report00:34 | August 11, 2026
-
U.S. Senate committee holds Dr. Fauci in contempt over refusal to answer questions01:56 | August 6, 2026
-
Fauci faces possible contempt charge after U.S. Senate committee vote01:51 | August 6, 2026
-
Dr. Fauci invokes 5th Amendment during U.S. Senate hearing, refuses to answer any questions05:20 | July 29, 2026
-
Conservative MP calls for public participation in COVID-19 vaccine injury inquiry03:37 | July 9, 2026
-
Thousands of Canadians injured by COVID-19 vaccines to get chance to share their stories in Ottawa01:38 | June 7, 2026
-
Doctors reiterate hantavirus ‘very different disease’ from COVID-1901:58 | May 11, 2026
-
Changes to U.S. CDC child vaccine recommendations spark backlash02:12 | January 6, 2026
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine can offer protection in pregnancy, new study finds02:30 | December 16, 2025
-
Health Matters: Rising measles cases being fueled in part by vaccine hesitancy around the world, study shows02:34 | October 28, 2025
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 vaccine may help cancer treatments, study finds02:17 | October 23, 2025
-
‘Freedom Convoy’ leaders Tamara Lich, Chris Barber sentenced 12 months house arrest, 6 months curfew00:31 | October 7, 2025
-
Health Matters: Obesity on the rise among Canadian adults02:33 | October 2, 2025
-
Quebec joins Alberta in ending free COVID-19 vaccines for some people02:04 | September 18, 2025
-
Health Matters: COVID-19 positivity rate increasing across Canada, report shows02:23 | September 15, 2025
-
Coldplay once hit pause on touring, but their comeback is unlike anything you’ve ever seen04:21 | September 8, 2025
-
Camila Cabello’s ‘Familia’: Positives of the pandemic and how it inspired her Latin pop album03:27 | August 28, 2025
-
Health Matters: What to know about the summer COVID-19 variant ‘Stratus’02:29 | August 15, 2025
-
Crown seeks up to 8 years in prison for mischief for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers01:46 | July 23, 2025
-
Health Matters: Obesity rates increased during COVID-19 pandemic02:30 | July 14, 2025
-
Health Matters: RFK Jr. ousts vaccine advisory committee02:10 | June 10, 2025
-
Health Matters: Gynecologists recommend COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, while breastfeeding02:29 | May 29, 2025
-
Doctor reflects on five-year anniversary of Covid05:48 | March 14, 2025
-
How life has changed 5 years after COVID-19 pandemic began01:56 | March 11, 2025
-
Deaths from alcohol increased during COVID pandemic: study01:42 | February 3, 2025
-
Critics push back against Alberta COVID-19 vaccine report02:14 | January 26, 2025
-
The impact of the so-called ‘Quad-demic’04:53 | January 17, 2025
-
U.S. presidency ‘has been the honour of my life,’ Biden says during White House toast01:49 | November 23, 2024
-
‘Shattered the system’: Conservatives question Trudeau’s immigration policy change03:41 | October 24, 2024
-
The Morning Show: October 1844:27 | October 18, 2024
-
Eva Mendes cereal controversy: What you need to know about food dye04:44 | October 18, 2024
COVID-19: WHO chief scientist says Omicron variant ‘quite infectious’ but must not panic
Description
December 3, 2021
The World Health Organization's (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on Friday that while the new COVID-19 Omicron variant appeared to be very transmissible, the right response was to be prepared, cautious and not panic. “We're in a different situation today than we were at the beginning of 2020. We have tools, we know what to do, we know what works,” she stated.
National News
-
Mudslides strand hundreds in Peru as severe flooding hits northern Chile2:105 hours ago -
The Origin of the Word ‘Gig’0:516 hours ago -
One-stop shop: Back to school made easier5:086 hours ago -
Tony: Antonio Banderas on playing the chef who mentored a young Anthony Bourdain4:176 hours ago -
Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off again boyfriend was there when she died, police reveal3:506 hours ago -
LeBlanc ‘confident’ supply management will remain intact in new Canada-US trade deal0:277 hours ago -
“We have a deal with Canada”: Trump says trade agreement reached2:457 hours ago -
Poilievre tells Carney: Trade deal with Trump shouldn’t include any “unilateral concessions”2:338 hours ago -
$6M bust at Canada-US border sheds light on growing black market for nicotine4:418 hours ago -
Business Matters: Mortgage renewal wave of ultra-low COVID rates continues to raise anxiety for borrowers2:298 hours ago
Advertisement
Top News
-
“We have a deal with Canada”: Trump says trade agreement reached2:457 hours ago -
Tariff pause leaves Canadian businesses in limbo5:209 hours ago -
Trump hits pause on imposing 50% tariffs on Canada for 3 days5:548 hours ago -
Pakistan top court orders ex-PM Imran Khan be moved to hospital from jail2:018 hours ago -
West Bank confrontation between Israeli settler, Palestinian American at besieged home2:087 hours ago -
2 students dead, including gunman, in Philippines 2nd school shooting in less than 2 months1:2311 hours ago -
Tributes continue to pour in for Hayden Panettiere5:051 day ago -
What to know about high-profile art heists like the one in Sicily6:4011 hours ago -
Gaza peace plan unclear following Kushner, Netanyahu talks1:432 days ago -
Indonesia earthquake: Recovery efforts continue following 7.7-magnitude quake2:062 days ago
Sponsored Content
Global National
-
Global National: Aug. 1821:4622 hours ago -
Global National: Aug. 1722:092 days ago -
Global National: Aug. 1621:503 days ago -
Global National: Aug. 1522:044 days ago -
Global National: Aug. 1422:435 days ago -
Global National: Aug. 1321:486 days ago -
Global National: Aug. 1222:007 days ago -
Global National: Aug. 1121:421 week ago -
Global National: Aug. 1021:591 week ago -
Global National: Aug. 921:591 week ago
Trending
-
Global News at 6 Toronto: August 18, 202616:381 day ago -
Canadian broadcasting legend Lloyd Robertson dies at 923:312 weeks ago
-
1 dead after cooking-related fire at Toronto apartment building2:302 weeks ago -
Olivia Chow finally confirms she’s running for a second term at Toronto’s Mayor2:293 months ago -
Toronto fire crews melt Drake ice sculpture2:164 months ago -
Toronto man who killed 2 strangers 2 days apart found guilty of first-degree murder2:062 months ago
Canada
-
Poilievre tells Carney: Trade deal with Trump shouldn’t include any “unilateral concessions”2:338 hours ago -
$6M bust at Canada-US border sheds light on growing black market for nicotine4:418 hours ago -
Business Matters: Mortgage renewal wave of ultra-low COVID rates continues to raise anxiety for borrowers2:298 hours ago -
Saskatchewan employer accused of making foreign employees pay to work0:398 hours ago -
Former Liberal MP warns Canada’s foreign aid mandate could be lost in Carney’s trade push6:228 hours ago -
NDP government ends public access to online government directory2:378 hours ago -
Herd of goats brings ‘udder’ joy to B.C. wildfire evacuees1:587 hours ago -
Canada’s wildfire danger high in September, Ottawa warns1:4111 hours ago -
Missing plane found in Kawartha Lakes area as search for pilot continues1:1211 hours ago -
Proposed First Nation treaty raises concerns about public access2:037 hours ago
U.S. News
-
Canada-U.S. trade deal: What comes next?4:278 hours ago -
Trump says Hormuz is ‘new U.S. territory,’ among other strait claims1:467 hours ago -
Meta, Mark Zuckerberg could pay up to $1.4T USD in damages in landmark lawsuit1:5911 hours ago -
What’s at stake for Meta in landmark social media addiction trial?1:582 days ago -
Trump scales back U.S. military drills with South Korea, cites relationship with North’s Kim Jong Un2:062 days ago -
Trump says USS Abraham Lincoln ‘beautifully maintained,’ concern over sailors’ health ‘fake report’1:112 days ago -
Some companies are holding off making major plans for possible new round of U.S. tariffs4:281 day ago -
Former Secret Service agent on Trump plane swap6:032 days ago -
Who killed Tupac? Murder trial begins nearly 30 years later after rapper’s death1:473 days ago
Advertisement
World
-
Critics allege Canadian government misusing international aid6:227 hours ago -
Former Liberal MP warns Canada’s foreign aid mandate could be lost in Carney’s trade push6:228 hours ago -
Pakistan top court orders ex-PM Imran Khan be moved to hospital from jail2:018 hours ago -
West Bank confrontation between Israeli settler, Palestinian American at besieged home2:087 hours ago -
Trump says Hormuz is ‘new U.S. territory,’ among other strait claims1:467 hours ago -
2 students dead, including gunman, in Philippines 2nd school shooting in less than 2 months1:2311 hours ago -
Maritime businesses watching clock anxious as trade talk deadline approaches2:061 day ago -
What to know about high-profile art heists like the one in Sicily6:4011 hours ago -
Trump scales back U.S. military drills with South Korea, cites relationship with North’s Kim Jong Un2:062 days ago -
Indonesia earthquake: Recovery efforts continue following 7.7-magnitude quake2:062 days ago
Politics
-
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency hire new chief2:094 hours ago -
LeBlanc ‘confident’ supply management will remain intact in new Canada-US trade deal0:277 hours ago -
Critics allege Canadian government misusing international aid6:227 hours ago -
“We have a deal with Canada”: Trump says trade agreement reached2:457 hours ago -
Poilievre tells Carney: Trade deal with Trump shouldn’t include any “unilateral concessions”2:338 hours ago -
Nate Erskine-Smith officially registers for city council1:499 hours ago -
Canada-U.S. trade deal: What comes next?4:278 hours ago -
Former Liberal MP warns Canada’s foreign aid mandate could be lost in Carney’s trade push6:228 hours ago -
Trump hits pause on imposing 50% tariffs on Canada for 3 days5:548 hours ago -
Global News at 6 Edmonton: Aug. 1812:4922 hours ago
Health and Wellness
-
Health Matters: Health Canada warns about unauthorized products2:149 hours ago -
More than 4.7K health-care workers hired in Manitoba since 2023: province2:2122 hours ago -
Health Matters: Social media ban could face charter challenge2:0811 hours ago -
Educational event taking place as part of International Overdose Awareness Day4:202 days ago -
Help for people suffering from excessive sweating5:322 days ago -
Greater Vancouver Food Bank helping evacuees3:394 days ago -
Private plasma donation clinic says it is pausing all collection in Canada2:475 days ago -
Health Matters: Whole Foods Market salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo recalled1:495 days ago -
Peterborough Regional Health Centre expands sexual assault and domestic violence program2:046 days ago
Advertisement
Investigative News
-
CBSA deports former Iranian regime spokesperson after last-minute appeal dismissed2:0111 hours ago -
Global exclusive: Richmond kidnapping update2:263 weeks ago -
FOI requests reveal Saskatchewan man’s foster system abuse claims were documented, then ignored3:243 weeks ago -
‘Operation Hard Ball’ suspects in court2:241 month ago -
Stranger attack victim speaks out after release of suspect2:312 months ago -
More details about extortion-related convictions2:182 months ago -
Difficult efforts to revoke Canadian citizenship of man convicted of terrorism offence2:233 months ago -
How ‘manosphere’ groups target women, share sexual exploits online1:584 months ago -
Deportation hearing begins for alleged Iranian regime official1:385 months ago -
Questions about how Tumbler Ridge shooter had access to guns2:306 months ago
News Bloopers
-
‘Amoosing’ cow leaves Global News Morning crew in stitches1:598 months ago -
‘Can’t use that on TV’: Watch a Global News reporter jump from the highest bungee jump in Canada0:3716 months ago -
Edmonton, B.C. morning show hosts settle NHL playoff bet3:0527 months ago -
‘You can’t make this stuff up:’ Loud clap of thunder interrupts live TV segment at pivotal moment0:2535 months ago -
Global Calgary weather anchor startled by surprise guest appearance0:2138 months ago -
Fun times? Global News personalities help clear snow in search of ‘fun’ story2:0046 months ago -
‘Buzzworthy moment’: Colin D’Mello recaps Doug Ford accidentally swallowing a bee1:5748 months ago -
‘Did you just call me daddy?’: Morning show hosts can’t hold back laughter after on-air mixup1:1549 months ago -
B.C. dad hoping to see his cloud photo on TV get his wish following viral TikTok campaign2:1252 months ago -
Bloopers: Phil Darlington slips, slides and falls in these Our Winter City outtakes1:3846 months ago