F2F Class Notes (Fred)

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday designated a new Covid-19 variant detected in South Africa with a large number of mutations as being “of concern”, the fifth variant to be given the designation.

The WHO said in a statement that it had assigned the B.1.1.529 variant the Greek letter Omicron.

The UN health agency also said early evidence on the variant has shown an increased risk of reinfection compared to other highly transmissible variants, indicating that people who contracted Covid-19 and recovered could be more subject to catching it again with Omicron.

The WHO suggested that the variant could pose greater risks than the Delta variant, which has been causing ravages worldwide.

The announcement marks the first time in months that agency has classified a Covid-19 variant as one “of concern”. The Delta variant is in the same category.

Vocabulary

megacity

categorize = classify

statement

designate/assign buddies/mentors

in a new setting

consistent

stage fright

power dynamic

keep a low profile

earthquake (metaphoric/literary)

brisk walking

Grammar

The personality I display when speaking Chinese is quite different from when I speak English.