Fourth COVID-19 Wave: What you need to know
Are there new COVID-19 variants / strains?
Yes. The short answer is that there are many new COVID-19 strains circulating in the community that you may or may not have heard about.
Professor Adrian Esterman, Chair of Biostatistics at the University of South Australia, said that not only are there several "new" variants, they're also becoming better at "getting around our immune systems".
Australia is now in its fourth wave of Omicron infections. However, unlike the previous waves caused by Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5, this wave has several causes.
The first is waning immunity. Many people have had their last dose of vaccine over six months ago, and by now have comparatively little protection against symptomatic disease. At the same time, we have little or no public health measures in place to put a brake on transmission.
These new subvariants are more transmissible than BA.5. They include BA.2.75, BQ.1 and XBB.
How many variants of COVID-19 are there in Australia?
Currently, the Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.75, BQ.1, BR.2 and XBB are all circulating around the country, with some more transmissible than others.
Experts have branded the new line of strains a "variant soup" and "the grandchildren of Omicron".
When will the wave peak?
According to Professor Wood, Australia's fourth COVID-19 wave will be short and sharp, similar to what has recently been reported in Singapore.
"I expect that we will see a short sharp wave, similar to the recent one in Singapore with a peak by the end of November," Wood said.
"I also expect this to be smaller than the BA.5 wave but that we will see a considerable rise in hospitalisations and deaths, particularly in people over 65."
Will restrictions return?
It's not likely right now.
Should I be worried about the fourth COVID-19 wave?
Like many viruses, COVID-19 has the potential to be very unpleasant if you contract it, and is potentially deadly to vulnerable Aussies.
Experts say that new variants aren't "increasing in severity".
Age remains a key risk factor and there are many Australians still eligible for third or fourth doses who could benefit from a booster dose at this time."
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COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in protecting you against COVID-19. When you get vaccinated, your body starts producing antibodies against the virus. These antibodies help your immune system fight the virus if exposed to it.
COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalisation, and death.
Getting vaccinated helps those at a higher risk of falling seriously ill have an increased immunity, such as people who are severely immunocompromised, pregnant (including their unborn baby), adults aged above 65 years, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are safe and effective for children. Three doses of the vaccine have proven to provide stronger and longer-lasting protection.
Getting vaccinated is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19. If you had COVID-19, you should still get vaccinated to receive maximum protection.
