Support WBURThe mystery of where omicron came from — and why it mattersPlay06:29Download AudioNurith AizenmanDecember 01, 2021 ShareHere's a computer-generated image of the omicron variant of the coronavirus — also known as B.1.1.529. Reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. (Getty Images)