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‘Don’t over react’ to new COVID variant

Oliver Peterson
Article image for ‘Don’t over react’ to new COVID variant

A leading infectious disease expert said the new COVID variant, “Omicron” could “out-compete Delta” but that could be the silver lining

“If it is truly is a milder version of COVID-19, it will become the predominate circulating strain and there’ll be less disease as a result of it,” Dr Nick Coatsworth told Oliver Peterson.

“And wouldn’t that be a good Christmas present for all of us.”

So far, five cases of the new variant have been detected in Australia – four in Sydney and one in the Northern Territory quarantine facility.

DrĀ  Coatsworth said it’s premature to fear the strain until we know more about it.

“To get a full appreciation of how mild the disease is, we’ll know that in a few days to a week or two,” he said.

Australians arriving in NSW, Victoria and the ACT from overseas have to isolate for 72-hours when they get home. Australians who’ve been in Southern Africa over recent weeks will have to quarantine for a fortnight when they return home.

Australia’s reopening to international students and other eligible visa holders has also been paused for two-weeks, as the federal government awaits information on the new variant.

Citizens, permanent residents and immediate family will continue to be allowed in, state and territory restrictions permitting.

Mr Coatsworth said he hopes these measures are short-lived.

“We haven’t shown ourselves to be very adept at pulling back these sorts of regulations once we put them in,”

“I hope this is the first example of where we can react to pull them back as quickly as we put them in.”

Press PLAY to hear more about the Omicron strain:

(Photo – iStock by Getty)

Oliver Peterson
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