(Salt Lake City, UT) — Utah health experts are urging residents to remain calm following the revelation of a new COVID-19 variant of concern in South Africa. News of the Omicron variant prompted the U.S to limit travel from southern African nations starting yesterday. The Utah Department of Health says there are a lot of things virologists are still trying to learn about the new variant, including how transmissible it is compared to others, and whether it causes more severe symptoms. UDOH also notes that existing vaccines will provide some level of protection against Omicron, and urge people to either get vaccinated or get their boosters as needed.