As the world desperately awaits news from scientists on anything Omicron, some experts have started thinking about where the variant might have come from.

One theory is that it's from someone severely immunocompromised, where the virus has had millions of opportunities to evolve against a poor immune response.

But it's far from the only theory.

So on today's Coronacast, a few other possibilities of where - and when - Omicron might have popped into existence.

Also on today's show:

* The evolutionary lineage of Omicron

* How should Australia be preparing?

* The Dr Norman Swan Omicronometer of Panic is born