It likely got there in several steps of mutation -- most of them undetected since there is limited Covid surveillance in Africa
Why scientists think the new variant may have emerged in an HIV patient If this is the route for B.1.1.529, it is not the first time chronic infections in immunocompromised people have caused concern The South African scientists tracking the new coronavirus variant believe it probably evolved in a patient with HIV/Aids with a chronic Covid-19 infection. If so, it will not be the first time a variant has emerged in a patient with a long-running Covid infection, scientists told the The Telegraph. In fact, many experts believe it could be how some of the other variants sprang up, including alpha, the first global "variant of concern", which emerged in Kent last autumn. Across the world, scientists have traced the virus evolving in immunocompromised patients with months-long Covid infections. Patients with untreated HIV or other conditions that weaken the immune system - such as cancer, for example - can struggle to see off Covid, leaving their body fighting the virus for prolonged periods. They effectively act as an evolutionary training gym for the virus to mutate to find new ways around their immune responses.
All viruses become less lethal and more contagious with time. The lethal variants tend to kill their host thereby limiting their propagation. The less lethal variants then spread and become very contagious but cause less acute illness. Of course, world governments will seize the opportunity to force their agenda further regardless. I seriously have one eye on the exits now. Soon you won't be able to fly commercially without presenting your papers
WaPo: Biden administration focuses on booster shots as best strategy against new coronavirus variant Fauci said “it is quite conceivable if not likely” that booster shots will provide at least a partial shield of protection against the new variant.---------------------------------- A lot of "we don't know yet" in that statement.
On virus mutations, virulence and transmission evolution: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7095397/
White House press release: Dr. Fauci informed the President that while it will take approximately two more weeks to have more definitive information on the transmissibility, severity, and other characteristics of the variant, he continues to believe that existing vaccines are likely to provide a degree of protection against severe cases of COVID.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/28/world/middleeast/israel-morocco-travel-bans-omicron.html Morocco said on Sunday it would deny entry to all travelers, even Moroccan citizens, for two weeks beginning Monday. The country is banning all incoming and outgoing flights over the two-week period.
It might not be so bad. https://www.reuters.com/world/afric...n-variant-have-very-mild-symptoms-2021-11-28/
Canada, Australia report cases of omicron; Fauci says new variant might 'evade immune protection': COVID-19 updates Confirmed in North America.