[Brad Lockyer]

A fifth wave of Omicron-variant COVID is silently sweeping across the Australian population this winter – albeit at a much slower rate than previous waves, news.com.au is reporting.

Experts believe this latest Omicron has been slowly growing since February and is stubbornly refusing to leave.

While the variant itself appears to be less severe than previous variants, Australia’s high levels of vaccination, coupled with shrinking rates of COVID testing, mean this latest wave is refusing to budge.

The slow and drawn-out nature of the current wave is most likely due to the sequential emergence and spread of new Omicron sub-variants.

The current wave started with XBB.1.5, then shifted to XBB.1.9.1 and XBB.1.9.2, then most recently XBB.1.16. Each sub-variant has been able to spread where the previous one could not.

Have you had COVID again recently?

[KSS]

Haven’t had COVID at all yet, but then I have never stopped using infection control procedures including wearing masks in populated places like shopping centres and public transport as well as keeping up to date with COVID vaccinations. COVID is not over and won’t be for some time to come despite the complacency still being shown.

[SGW]

I’ve never worn a mask, never obeyed lockdowns, never had a jab and never been sick

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