Little is known about the Omicron variant of COVID-19, with health authorities in Australia collecting international data on the emerging variant.

While early data indicates it is highly transmissible and spreading fast in South Africa, it appears the symptoms are mild.

Delta has been the predominant strain until now, and the World Health Organisation has declared the new variant as a “variant of concern”.

Infectious diseases expert Nigel McMillan explained that the most transmissible variant wins, when it comes to viruses.

“Might what happen here is Delta is out-competed, because perhaps the new Omicron strain makes people less sick, so they mingle a bit more and they transmit the virus more effectively as well, and Delta will essentially disappear over time,” he told Scott Emerson.

He said it was unclear yet how the Omicron variant will circulate in Australia, with high vaccination rates.

He said it was a “watch and wait” while more data comes to hand.

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