Australians told to get boosters amid threat from new Omicron strain

 AUSTRALIA,US: Australian authorities on Monday warned the slow rollout of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots could unleash a new wave of infections amid the threat from the highly contagious BA.2 sub-variant of the Omicron coronavirus strain.

Australia battled record cases and hospitalisation rates during the initial Omicron wave, but they have steadied over the past six weeks. Most states have been easing social distancing rules, with mask requirements being rolled back at indoor venues and businesses asking staff to return to offices.

But daily infections could likely double in the next four to six weeks as the new sub-variant looks set to become the dominant strain, New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard told broadcaster ABC on Monday, leaving “more people in hospital and more people possibly to pass away sadly.”

Around 20,000 new cases were reported in Australia by midday on Monday with two states due to report later, while four deaths were registered. More than 3.1 million cases and 5,590 deaths have been recorded since the pandemic began.

Meanwhile, former US President Barack Obama tested positive for COVID-19, he announced on social media Sunday.

“I just tested positive for COVID. I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise. Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted, and she has tested negative,” Obama wrote on Twitter.

“It’s a reminder to get vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down,” the former president urged.

Obama has been a strong proponent of vaccines since they’ve become available. He has also been a strong proponent of public health measures such as masking and social distancing meant to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

– THE MALAY MAIL