A man walks past a mobile COVID-19 testing station in Durban, South Africa, Friday, Dec. 3 2021. The new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in the country.

Video. 'Don't panic', WHO says, as fears of Omicron COVID-19 variant rise

The World Health Organization's chief scientist says the new variant is 'highly transmissible' but that the world is better prepared than in 2020.