Australians are being warned to brace for a fourth COVID-19 wave as multiple states report sharp increases in case numbers following months of relative stability.

Queensland is in the grips of a fourth wave of COVID-19, and people are again advised to wear masks where appropriate.

Professor Robert Booy from the University of Sydney told Oly Peterson on Perth Live that conditions should be able to be managed relatively quickly without the return of harsh restrictions.

“It is a real wave and is of concern,” he explained.

“I think we could, in most cases, body surf back to safety,

“It won’t be huge because it’s just the grandchild of Omicron.”

Tap PLAY to hear what Professor Booy thinks about the next wave of COVID.