INTERACTIVE: Omicron's global spread and the risk of local transmission in Malaysia

This photograph taken on December 1, 2021 shows syringes and a screen displaying Omicron, the name of the new covid 19 variant in Toulouse, southwestern France. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)

PETALING JAYA: From Australia to Zambia, the Omicron Covid-19 variant has been detected in at least 60 countries and regions worldwide so far, with more than 20 reporting local community transmissions.

An analysis of news reports on the affected countries shows the rapid spread of Omicron within the short span of just two weeks of the variant being classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Nov 26.