WH: Omicron variant found in 20 countries, not US

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the White House, said as of Tuesday morning, the global case count hit 226 cases in 20 countries.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to the President of United States said "Confirmed cases as of yesterday was 205 in 18 countries and just this morning, that's gone up to 226 in 20 countries. And I think you're going to expect to see those numbers change rapidly. Importantly, it has not yet been detected in the United States."

Japan and France reported their first cases of the omicron variant Tuesday, while new findings indicate the mutant coronavirus was already in Europe close to a week before South Africa sounded the alarm.