A leading epidemiologist warns yesterday's case numbers, which were the highest daily infections in more than two months, mark the beginning of a new wave of COVID-19 cases with the peak most likely to hit in February.
The recent rise in COVID-19 cases in NSW marks the beginning of a new wave, a leading epidemiologist says.The state could see a peak in cases in FebruaryYesterday, there were 560 new locally acquired cases in the state — that's double the number of infections from a week ago and the highest daily case number in more than two months.
"But now we're starting to see NSW cases going up and more importantly we're seeing the effective reproduction going up and that's not a good sign."The Reff currently stands at 1.38, a jump from 1.25 just a couple of days ago — and in line with the "bell-shaped curve" expected in epidemics. Christmas parties and social gatherings in confined spaces are being blamed for the uptick in cases, which Sydneysiders had previously been told to expect after the easing of restrictions for "Freedom Day" seven weeks ago.A party on a boat last Friday is now the source of more than 10 cases, with three of these confirmed as the Omicron variant.
Up until Saturday, December 11, 94.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received one dose of a COVID-19 jab and 93.1 per cent were fully vaccinated.Professor Esterman said while it was looking like Omicron may be more infectious than Delta but not as impactful, that had not been proven.