Why Omicron marks a ‘new phase’ in the Covid-19 pandemic

The “highly transmissible” Omicron variant is surging across Australia but experts have revealed how it differs from other forms of Covid.

The Omicron variant could be 80 per cent less severe than other forms of the virus, despite rapidly spreading across the nation.

Victoria on Wednesday delivered a new daily case record, with 3767 infections – the highest tally since the pandemic began.

It comes as Omicron continues to spread rapidly across the country, with New South Wales setting a national record of 11,201 cases on Wednesday.

Queensland also recorded 1589 new cases, while South Australia notched 1471.

Chief medical officer Paul Kelly said the rise in cases each day made clear that Omicron was more “highly transmissible” than other strains.

“Those cases are rising (and) they will continue to rise,” he said.

“We are faced with a new phase of this pandemic here in Australia.”

Omicron is more ‘highly transmissible’ than other Covid strains. Picture: David Crosling

But Professor Kelly confirmed it was now “very likely” that the Omicron variant was less severe than other forms of the virus, including Delta.

“How much less is an open question,” he said.

“I’ve seen estimates from 15 per cent less severe to 80 per cent less severe … That is still information that we’re looking at.”

Hospitalisations in Victoria have remained stable, with 397 people battling the virus, including 106 in ICU.

Of the 61 ICU patients in New South Wales, two thirds are not vaccinated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s hospital systems had “ample capacity” to deal with the new variant.

“We of course will continue to see cases rise, but those cases are not translating into the sort of serious disease,” he said.

“As Omicron continues to go forward we will see further pressures, but states and territories are working very closely on their plans to deal with those challenges.”

Originally published as Why Omicron marks a ‘new phase’ in the Covid-19 pandemic