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WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT OMICRON?
South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an "exponential rise" of cases in the country in the past few days.
From just over 200 new confirmed cases a day in recent weeks, South Africa saw the number of new daily cases rocket to more than 3200 on Saturday, with most in Gauteng.
Faced with the sudden rise in cases, scientists studied virus samples and discovered the new variant.
Now, as many as 90 per cent of the new cases in Gauteng are caused by it, according to the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform.
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WHY ARE SCIENTISTS WORRIED?
The World Health Organisation said "preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant", meaning people who contracted COVID-19 and recovered could catch it again.
The variant appears to have a high number of mutations - about 30 - in its spike protein, which could affect how easily it spreads to people.
Sharon Peacock, who has led coronavirus genetic sequencing in Britain at the University of Cambridge, said the data suggested Omicron had mutations "consistent with enhanced transmissibility", but said "the significance of many of the mutations is still not known".
Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, described Omicron as "the most heavily mutated version of the virus we have seen", including potentially worrying changes never before seen in the same virus.
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WHAT'S KNOWN AND NOT KNOWN ABOUT THE VARIANT?
Scientists know Omicron is genetically distinct from previous variants including Beta and Delta, but do not know if these changes make it any more transmissible or dangerous. So far, there is no indication the variant causes more severe disease.
It will likely take weeks to sort out if Omicron is more infectious and if vaccines are still effective against it.
Peter Openshaw, a professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London, said it was "extremely unlikely" that current vaccines would not work, noting they were effective against numerous other variants.
Even though some of the genetic changes in Omicron appear worrying, it's still unclear if they will pose a public health threat. Some previous variants, such as Beta, initially alarmed scientists but did not end up spreading very far.
South Africa's Dr Angelique Coetzee, who was one of the first to suspect a different coronavirus variant, said symptoms of Omicron were so far mild and could be treated at home.
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HOW DID THIS NEW VARIANT ARISE?
The coronavirus mutates as it spreads and many new variants often just die out. Scientists monitor coronavirus sequences for mutations that could make the disease more transmissible or deadly, but they cannot determine that simply by looking at the virus.
Peacock said Omicron "may have evolved in someone who was infected but could then not clear the virus", giving it the chance to evolve in a scenario similar to how the Alpha variant - which was first identified in England - likely emerged, by mutating in an immunocompromised person.
AP with PA
© AP 2021
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A man has been arrested at Windang in Wollongong's south and is in police custody after shots were allegedly fired in a suburban street.
It's reported an armed man, who was wearing a flak jacket allegedly discharged a rifle near a local bottle shop, before reportedly taking a hostage inside a shop.
A terrified witness reportedly shot video footage of him armed with a rifle stalking the streets outside shops.
Police were called to the scene shortly after 9 am following reports of an 'active shooter' roaming the streets.
The man reportedly took a hostage inside a dive shop during the incident.
Police closed Windang Road in both directions and officers saturated the area.
Police said, "There are now no active threats to the community."
Officers remain in the area and there have been no reports of injuries.
Images: Illawarra weather warning & local media info
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The main flood peak along the Hunter River is now at Singleton where moderate flooding is occurring.
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New England Highway (A15) (north of Singleton Township) likely to be closed between Bridgman Road and White Avenue , use alternative route
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At Maitland: (Belmore Bridge)
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The Singleton Caracourt Caravan Park and Wyland Caravan Park may experience some low-lying inundation
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Scotts Flat Road closes south of Pankhurst Bridge isolating homes
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Putty Road, 700 metres south of John Street high-level bridge over the railway line. This closes the secondary access between Singleton and Sydney and Whittingham
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Combo Lane to Pidgeon Point may become isolated
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Glendon cut off from direct access to Singleton; alternative route open via Sedgefield and Roughit Lane
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Inundation of low-lying properties in Doughboys Hollow and Whittingham
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Possible overtopping of the river at Scotts Flat area leading to the isolation of properties
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Putty Road at Doughboy Hollow, Army Camp Road at Glenridding may close
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All Riverside park access is closed
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Bridgeman Road Singleton may close
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East Singleton may be impacted by minor road closures including, Dangar Road, Greenwood Avenue, Whitefalls Lane, Haggarty Lane, Netsfeild Lane, Kanoona Lane, Racecourse Lane
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Road to Jerrys Plains (Golden Highway) will close
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Bridge over Redmanvale Creek, south-east of Jerrys Plains on Golden Highway may be closed
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Possible isolation of Whittingham area
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Bridge over Hunter River near Coolmore Stud (approx. 8kms north west of Jerrys Plains) on Golden Highway may close
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At Singleton: (Donolly Bridge)
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Stanhope Road cut at Kilfoyles Bridge between Luskintyre Road and Lambs
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Valley Road. Alternate route via Branxton and Stanhope
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Windermere Road at Windermere is cut just past Windermere House
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Brush Farm Road and Pitnacree Road, Pitnacree (East Maitland) closed with Low lying farmland is inundated.
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Maitland Vale Road at Rosebrook may close
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Water up to the back of buildings in Swan Street, Morpeth on the riverside. What you need to do:
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People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding in and around Singleton should prepare for potential isolation and possible evacuation
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People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding in and around Maitland should prepare for potential isolation and possible evacuation
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Do not drive, ride or walk through flood water
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Farmers on low lying land close to rivers and creeks are urged to monitor livestock, pumps, and other equipment. Waste and chemical containers should be located well above predicted flood levels.
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Residents of low-lying areas near the river should keep an active watch on the floodwaters.
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Keep in contact with your neighbours.
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Consider impacts of possible road closures on work, family and educational commitments.
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Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on local ABC radio, NSW SES Hunter Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website.
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If you live in a low-lying area and are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so.
In life-threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.
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The New England Highway has reopened at Muswellbrook after closing due to flooding.
The Cobb Highway has also reopened between Ivanhoe and Wilcannia.
Lachlan Valley Way is now closed in both directions between Forbes and Cowra.
The Escort Way is now closed between Rifle Range Road at Forbes and Parkes Eugowra Road at Eugowra.
However, Henry Lawson Way is open between Forbes and Grenfell.
Other roads remain closed in regional New South Wales, including:
- The Silver City Highway is closed between Tibooburra and Warri Gate (Queensland)
- The Kamilaroi Highway is closed between Wee Waa and Narrabri and between Trucking Yard Lane and Doreen Lane in Wee Waa.
- The Kamilaroi Highway is closed from Curlewis to Breeza, and from Boggabri to Gunnedah.
- Clifton Road is closed between Carroll and Breeza.
- Grain Valley Road is closed between the Oxley Highway and the Kamilaroi Highway at Boggabri
- Killarney Gap Road is closed between Narrabri and Bingara
- Pilliga Road is closed between Wee Waa and Pilliga
- Cypress Way is closed between Pilliga and Gwabegar
Many other local roads are affected as well.
Motorists are reminded that conditions can change quickly and are advised to exercise caution and never drive through floodwaters.
For the latest traffic information, download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
For the latest transport information, visit www.transportnsw.info
Images: Hunter SES Facebook
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