A sub-strain of the Omicron variant of coronavirus is contributing to a jump in NSW infections, officials have confirmed.
The BA. 2 subvariant tends to spread faster than the original version, and could become dominant in NSW.
“The dominant sub-lineage until recently has been BA. 1, what we are seeing is an increase (in BA. 2) and we are still undertaking further analysis to try to get a better sense and a better handle on it,” acting chief health officer Marianxjmtzywne Gale told a budget estimates hearing on Thursday.
She said BA. 2 had become dominant in other countries where it's spreading.
Dr Gale said NSW cases were likely to increase until next month, or even May.
“While the community may have gone to sleep on the virus, the virus hasn’t gone to sleep in the community,” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
There were 16.288 community cases reported on Thursday, about 3000 more than the day before.
There are other likely factors behind the increase as well.
People have started to mix with each other more, go back to work in offices, and send their children to school, all of which helps the virus spread, Dr Gale said.
“All of those things play a role and probably a working in combination,” she said.
Mr Hazzard said it was important for everyone who is eligible to get a booster dose of coronavirus vaccine.
“If everybody were boosted, I wouldn't be as concerned,” Mr Hazzard said.
“So many people have become very relaxed, and don't seem to think Omicron still exists, don’t think the virus still exists.
“It does. And it‘s out there and it’s doing his damnedest to get through the community.”
Only 56.3 per cent of people over 16 have received their third vaccine dose.
