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CORONAVIRUS
Third wave, new Covid sub-variant have experts worried
With Covid cases surging, and the worst of the third Omicron wave still to come,  a new subvariant has health experts on high alert after it was detected in returning overseas travellers in NSW.
The subvariant BA.2.75, known as 'Centaurus', is being monitored by the WHO as experts fear it could be more evasive and transmissible than earlier Omicron variants.
It was first detected in India in May and is the latest Omicron subvariant to emerge in Australia since February, following the arrival of BA.4 and BA.5.
The BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants continue to be the most infectious and vaccine-evasive strains medical experts have faced.   
Cases of BA.4 and BA.5 have been observed in all jurisdictions in Australia and this is similar to what we're seeing overseas with (both subvariants) increasing rapidly across Europe, the United States and in South Africa.
Michael Kidd
Australia's deputy chief medical officer
“”
There are more than 5000 Covid-19 patients in hospital around the country, but the number of ICU admissions remains well down on the January rate.
The resurgence of influenza nationwide is adding more pressure on the health system. Since April, there have been 1323 hospital admissions due to flu.
Australians are being urged to mask up and work from home if they're sick. Telstra and Westpac have told staff to work from home if possible amid the current wave.
WORDS: DANA PENDRICKPRODUCER: LOUISE STARKEYANIMATIONS: HELEN SIMMONS
For more coverage on the new Omicron subvariant, swipe up.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/web-stories/free/herald-sun/winter-from-hell-third-covid-wave-variants-and-flu-explained-3