What federal health authorities now know about Omicron strain

Federal health authorities have a greater understanding of the Omicron strain of Covid-19 because of this key measure.

A slight drop in the number of Covid-infected people needing a machine to breathe shows the Omicron variant of the virus is less severe, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says.

Mr Hunt said chief medical officer Paul Kelly’s latest advice to the government was that the Omicron strain was both more transmissible and less severe.

“The nature of a disease which is more transmissible but less severe means that the threat to individuals may be less,” Mr Hunt told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

“The threat to hospital places as is evidenced in those lower ventilation rates in going from 54 people ventilated with Covid on December 15 to 51 as of last night.

“These numbers will move around, but that just shows the decrease in severity, coupled with vaccinations, coupled with treatments, are protecting lives.”

Greg Hunt says Omicron is more transmissible and less severe. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

Mr Hunt said he believed the latest development gave people the ability to “be calm” and “feel safe”.

National cabinet would this week focus on workforce measures to deal with current needs, he said.

Meanwhile, people yet to get their booster shots are urged now is the time to do so, according to Mr Hunt.

Those yet to have their jabs have also been asked to come forward.

“If you are in that 5½ per cent that is yet to come forward for a first dose, or those that are still to complete second doses, please do that,” Mr Hunt said.

“And please feel clear that it is absolutely in your child’s interest to have them vaccinated over the course of the coming weeks.”

Originally published as What federal health authorities now know about Omicron strain