Professor Michael Kidd: Omicron sub-variant is ‘no cause for concern yet’
The deputy CMO says BA.2 appears to have a 'higher growth advantage' but is not yet worrying overseas experts
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd says a new COVID-19 sub-variant circulating in Australia is being monitored but is not yet of concern.
Although the Omicron sub-variant — known as BA.2 — appears to have a higher ‘growth advantage’ it’s not known whether it results in more severe illness, he says.
“We are not picking up anything that is causing concern at the moment,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
Australasian Epidemiology Association President, Professor Brigid Lynch, added that global health organisations were treating the new sub-variant as a “watch and wait” situation.
