Since January 2020, Elsevier has established a COVID-19 resource center on Elsevier Connect, providing free information in English and Mandarin about the novel coronavirus. The company has granted permission to make all COVID-19-related research available in PubMed Central and other public repositories, allowing unrestricted reuse and analysis with acknowledgment of the original source. The emergence of the Omicron variant of concern (VoC) in November 2021 marks a new chapter in the COVID-19 pandemic. Omicron, which first appeared in South Africa, is associated with increased transmissibility and immune escape due to numerous mutations. Early evidence suggests that Omicron is spreading rapidly, particularly in South Africa, and may displace the Delta variant as the dominant strain. While there are concerns about its potential to evade vaccine protection, current data indicate that vaccinated individuals are likely to have a lower risk of severe disease. Public health measures such as mask-wearing and physical distancing remain effective against Omicron. The combination of vaccination and public health measures is expected to remain an effective strategy to control the pandemic.Since January 2020, Elsevier has established a COVID-19 resource center on Elsevier Connect, providing free information in English and Mandarin about the novel coronavirus. The company has granted permission to make all COVID-19-related research available in PubMed Central and other public repositories, allowing unrestricted reuse and analysis with acknowledgment of the original source. The emergence of the Omicron variant of concern (VoC) in November 2021 marks a new chapter in the COVID-19 pandemic. Omicron, which first appeared in South Africa, is associated with increased transmissibility and immune escape due to numerous mutations. Early evidence suggests that Omicron is spreading rapidly, particularly in South Africa, and may displace the Delta variant as the dominant strain. While there are concerns about its potential to evade vaccine protection, current data indicate that vaccinated individuals are likely to have a lower risk of severe disease. Public health measures such as mask-wearing and physical distancing remain effective against Omicron. The combination of vaccination and public health measures is expected to remain an effective strategy to control the pandemic.