COVID-19 Delta & Omicron State of Play: Morrison goes to battle against any threat to his plan to throw open Australia before the 2022 federal election campaign

 

IMAGE: Courier Mail, 29 November 2021

Genomic testing has confirmed two more overseas travellers, who recently arrived in New South Wales, have been infected with the Sars-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern. The total number of confirmed cases of Omicron Variant infection is now four individuals in this state within two days.

The Omicron Variant first entered NSW when two infected individuals flew into Sydney International Airport on Qatar Airways QR908, Doha to Sydney, at 7:06 pm on 27 November 2021, after travelling from an unspecified country or countries in southern Africa. Both people had previously been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The second two infected people arrived on Singapore Airlines SQ 211 at Sydney International Airport at 9:20pm on 28 November 2021 – after travelling through an unspecified country or countries in southern Africa.

A fifth individual infected with the Omicron Variant had flown into Darwin Airport from Johannesburg, South Africa on 25 November 2021, presumably on a Qantas international flight.

All five people were taken into quarantine – four at Special Health Accommodation in the Sydney area and one at the Centre for National Resilience in the Darwin area.

Out of the 11 SARS-CoV-2 variants being monitored, to date Australia has only reported 5 surfacing in this country:

B.1.1.7 (Alpha ) B.1.351 ( Beta) P.1 (Gamma ) B.1.617.2 (Delta) B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Only Delta and Omicron remain cause for concern.

As yet little is known about the Omicron Variant's reproduction rate, incubation period, or the level of illness it is likely to cause those it infects. 

Australian Prime Minister & Liberal MP for Cook Scott Morrison states he plans to call a meeting of state and territory leaders today or tomorrow to discuss how to respond to the Omicron variant, but it is "too early" to make decisions about reinstating quarantine before Christmas.

I rather think there will be a mixed reaction from States and Territories to his urging them to rigidly adhere to his own reopening timetable for internal & international borders, as well as for lessening of public health measures and the cessation of hotel quarantine.

Only Queensland & the Northern Territory have the luxury of a basic quarantine station each. For the remaining states and territory it’s hotel or home quarantine, with the difficulties these bring.

In fact, NSW was still using the COVID-19 hotel quarantine system from 21 to 27 November 2021 and, is hardly likely to feel comfortable with home quarantine until it knows more about the virulence and transmissibility levels of Omicron.

Australian Dept. Of Health table showing the number of cases (predominately involving Delta Variant) and source of infection between 22 November and 28 November 2021: