COVID-19 wave still has potential for ‘significant burden’ on health system

Five new variants are circulating in the latest surge which is predicted to be shorter than previous ones, experts say
Australian Associated Press

As COVID-19 cases again spike around Australia, experts are hoping it will be a shorter, sharper wave that is in decline before Christmas.

Australia officially recorded 75,590 cases of COVID-19 last week, although with a decline in testing rates, the true figure could be much higher.

There are five new variants circulating around the country, in what is being called a “variant soup”.

Deakin University epidemiologist Associate Professor Hassan Vally says he is hoping case numbers from the latest wave will be in decline before Christmas.