Advertisement

Fears that new Omicron strain might be cause of NSW infection spike

A spike in Covid-19 cases in NSW is concerning authorities as a new, more transmissible variant of the Omicron strain emerges.

Mar 10, 2022, updated Mar 10, 2022
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard  (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Health Minister Brad Hazzard appeared at a budget estimates hearing on Thursday as the state recorded 16,288 new cases of the virus, an increase of more than 3000 on the previous day.

“It is concerning us greatly, that we are seeing an increase in daily cases,” Mr Hazzard said.

There has been an increase in Omicron’s BA2 sub-variant that preliminarily data from the University of NSW suggests is more transmissible.

“We could be looking at cases more than double what we’re currently getting,” he said.

He is also concerned people have become complacent about getting a booster shot, with just 56.3 per cent of people having had three vaccine doses.

“While the community may have gone to sleep on the virus, the virus has not gone to sleep on the community,” Hazzard said.

“The virus can still wreak havoc if we don’t go out there and go and get our boosters fast.”

Acting Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale said the technical term for the Omicron BA2 sub-variant is a “sublineage” and the dominant form of that in NSW had been BA1.

“What we are seeing … is a trend to an increasing rise in the BA2 sublineage,” she said.

“Experience has shown us overseas that BA2 can quite quickly overtake BA1 to become the dominant sublineage.”

The sublineage was more transmissible but there was no evidence it was more or less severe, she said.

Meanwhile, there are concerns about health resources in the flood-ravaged communities in northern NSW.

InQueensland in your inbox. The best local news every workday at lunch time.
By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement andPrivacy Policy & Cookie Statement. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

One of the six evacuation centres in northern NSW could be converted into a Covid-19 isolation facility to deal with cases of the virus there.

Evacuated flood victims in northern NSW who have tested positive are being housed at Casino District Hospital, the hearing was told.

NSW Health’s acting Deputy Secretary for Patient Experience and State Health Services Disaster Response Wayne Jones, said the government is considering turning the evacuation centre at Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre into a specific Covid-19 isolation centre for flood victims.

Hazzard said the government is trying to ensure virus-positive people arriving at evacuation centres will able to be cared for in a safe location.

Dr Gale said cases have been reported at evacuation centres, but there have not been outbreaks.

NSW Health reported the deaths of two women and two men in the 24 hours to 4pm on Wednesday.

One person was in their 60s, one in their 70s and two were in their 80s.

There are 991 people in hospital, 39 are in intensive care and 14 of are ventilated.

Nearly 80 per cent of children aged 12-15 have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine and 48.1 per cent of five to 11-year-olds have had one jab.

Local News Matters
Advertisement

We strive to deliver the best local independent coverage of the issues that matter to Queenslanders.

Copyright © 2024 InQueensland.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy