The new sub-strain of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is even more infectious and could spread across Australia, leading experts have warned.
The BA. 2 sub-variant, or ‘stealth variant’, is known to spread faster than the original version.
The NSW Government predicts it could become the state’s dominant strain with infections expected to double within four to six weeks.
Australian Medical Association NSW president Danielle McMullen expects to see a “fair bit of spread” throughout the community as the sub-variant takes over Omicxjmtzywron.
However, it is not yet known if it is more severe.
“So far, we don’t have any data from the rest of the world that it is any more or less severe, which is reassuring,” Dr McMullen told Today on Friday.
“We know that Omicron has been a milder variant than previous ones before so we’re hopeful that continues. It’s just that we are expecting to see these higher case numbers again, which of course causes disruption to the community and even a milder variant doesn’t leave you feeling very well.”
As BA. 2 is quickly taking over BA. 1 in NSW, Dr McMullen predicts the new sub-variant could quickly spread across the entire country.
“Because it’s more infectious, it’s advantageous to the virus to spread this variant around, so we expect to see that across the country,” she said.
Dr McMullen says it is critical for governments and health systems to prepare to face an increase in cases, as well as the flu.
She said the best course of action for the community to receive booster vaccine shots.
Unlike previous coronavirus variants, Dr McMullen said there was a higher rate of infection among young, school-aged children.
“They can now be vaccinated and we’re hoping that will reduce it … but they are a group along with the 19 to 25-year-olds that mix quite a lot in social settings so it’s common that we see spread of viral illnesses in these groups,” Dr McMullen said.
It has been around since the end of last year internationally, but experts have only recently noticed its spike in Australia.
Dr McMullen said the spike in cases may be poor timing as Australia goes into winter.
“It’s important that we support our GPs and our health system to be able to provide that care,” she said.
Leading epidemiologist Nancy Baxter said the new variant was able to “transmit better” than Omicron.
As it is more transmissible, it is believed to spread further.
“The stealth variant sounds scary but it’s called the stealth variant because it’s harder to detect,” Dr Baxter told the ABC.
“It’s not anything particularly sneaky about it but it is more transmissible, but means as we relax everything, so as we take off all our masks, as we go back to work, we now have to face a variant that is more transmissible and our immunity from catching it over the Christmas holidays is starting to fade.
“So I think we’re in a situation where we could have this take off again and that’s what we’re seeing in NSW.”
Dr Baxter said the spread was also due to relaxing restrictions.
She urged Australians to increase protective measures as more COVID circulates in the community.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Thursday said the rise in cases was “concerning” for NSW.
Acting chief health officer Marianne Gale said her team was looking into the new subvariant, which has already become dominant overseas.
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,” Mr Hazzard said.
There were 16,288 community cases reported on Thursday, about 3000 more than the day before.
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.
