Omicron variant detected in Australia but ‘not causing concern’
A new COVID sub-variant circulating in Australia is not yet causing concern among medical experts, says the deputy chief medical officer.
Australia's Chief Health Officer Professor Michael Kidd (Photo: ABC)
Professor Michael Kidd says although the Omicron sub-variant – known as BA.2 – appears to have a higher “growth advantage” than the original variant, it is not yet known whether it is more severe.
He also says it is too early to tell if there is any impact on the vaccine effectiveness against the sub-variant.
“We are not picking up anything that is causing concern at the moment,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
The sub-variant was first detected in southern Africa and is quickly becoming the dominant strain in a number of countries.
It was first detected in Australia in December last year in a Queensland patient.
