Australians are assured there’s no need to worry about the emergence of a new COVID-19 strain.

The Omicron variant has been detected in nine southern African countries and several European nations.

But the first South African doctor to raise the alarm on the new strain says while it “might be more infectious”, symptoms have been mild so far.

Doctor Angelique Coetzee says the most common symptoms of the variant are fatigue, body aches and pains, a scratch in the throat and a dry cough.

Neil Breen said from what we know so far, it’s time for calm.

“On the ground in South Africa, where this outbreak is, they are seeing mild, mild symptoms in people who are vaccinated,” Neil Breen said.

“Let’s listen to the experts – and I’m talking to Queensland Health here – listen to the experts on the ground.”

Press PLAY below to hear more from the experts 

Infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin backed the calls for calm, despite three possible cases of the variant in NSW.

He told Neil Breen, the emergence of virus mutations are to be expected as we all learn to live with COVID-19.

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Paul Griffin weigh in  

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