The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Will we have a COVID wave, spike or blip this Christmas? It depends where you live

  • Written by James Wood, Professor, epidemiological modelling of infectious diseases, UNSW Sydney

As the holiday season approaches, COVID cases are rising again in Australia, particularly in Victoria[1] and Tasmania[2].

This is now the fourth year running[3] with a summer rise of COVID, and the second year with a roughly six-month gap between waves.

Will we see a wave every six months from now on?

And what can we expect from COVID this Christmas?

Cases are rising

Nationally, we’re seeing more indicators[4] of increasing COVID infection, such as rises in the number of reported cases and the percentage of PCR tests that come back positive. We’re also seeing more outbreaks in aged care[5].

But the extent to which this is a wave varies markedly around the nation.

For instance, in Victoria notified cases are almost as high now[6] as during the winter peak.

It’s a similar story in Tasmania[7], where notified cases in late November were as high as its winter peak.

However in Western Australia, notified cases, hospitalisations and detection of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) in wastewater only show small rises so far[8].

New South Wales[9] and Queensland[10] have seen a slow rise in COVID indicators since the beginning of October, with similar behaviour in South Australia[11] and the Australian Capital Territory[12]. We don’t have clear figures for the Northern Territory.

So in summary, all jurisdictions for which we have data have seen a rise in COVID activity but only Tasmania and Victoria have seen a clear surge or wave.

Which variants are circulating?

Spread of the COVID variant XEC seems to be causing the recent rise in cases. Estimates suggest[13] XEC has risen from 10% to 60% of circulating SARS-CoV-2 in the past two months.

XEC is a recombinant variant[14], meaning it’s a hybrid of two existing variants. In this case it’s derived from two distinct descendants (KP.3.3 and KS.1.1) of the JN.1 variant[15] that spread worldwide last Christmas.

Recent preliminary laboratory evidence[16] suggests XEC is better at evading our antibody responses than the KP.3 variants that predominated until recently.

XEC is better at spreading than other current variants, but it’s not so fast spreading as JN.1 last summer.

So can XEC cause a wave? Yes, but that depends on a number of factors other than just out-competing other variants. This includes the scale of previous COVID waves and resulting short-term increases in population immunity.

For example, the United Kingdom saw a significant COVID wave this northern hemisphere autumn. Despite the growing proportion of XEC infections, cases have continued to decline[17].

Will we get waves every 6 months from now on?

This leads us to back to how often we should expect COVID waves in the future.

Australia entered its Omicron period from 2022, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to circulate to this day. In 2022 we had four waves[18] (except for WA, which avoided the first one), in 2023 we had two waves and in 2024 at least in jurisdictions such as Victoria, there have been two clear waves.

Epidemic theory predicts that the spacing of waves depends on the inherent transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, how quickly immunity is lost, as well as seasonal changes in transmission.

Respiratory viruses usually spread more easily[19] in winter in temperate climates, perhaps because we spend more time indoors. This seasonality in transmission usually leads to a single winter peak for viruses like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (or RSV).

However, we haven’t seen that yet for COVID. Instead, we see influential viral mutations crop up every few months. These can lead to sudden increases in transmission, enough to start new waves in summer and winter.

This suggests the potential for two waves a year continues. However, as seasonal factors tend to increase transmission of respiratory viruses in winter, we can generally expect winter waves to be larger than summer ones.

How about Christmas 2024?

Australia-wide we can expect a moderate level of COVID circulation over the holiday period. Activity is currently highest in Victoria and Tasmania[20] but recent Victorian surveillance data indicates the wave may have peaked[21].

In other jurisdictions, activity is lower but appears to be slowly increasing. For instance Queensland has seen a slow steady rise[22] since the beginning of October.

Overall, though, there probably won’t be as much COVID around at Christmas as either of the past two years.

How do I protect myself and others?

Although cases are expected to be lower this Christmas than in recent years, you can still protect yourself and others.

For instance, if you’re catching up with elderly relatives or people with weak immune systems, be cautious if you have respiratory symptoms. Good quality masks and using RAT tests[23] are still an option. And regardless of your symptoms, gathering in a well ventilated room (or outside) will reduce your chance of infection and infecting others.

Updated COVID boosters matched to the JN.1 variant[24] should now be available, and you can check if you’re eligible[25]. Boosters protect against severe disease for about six months[26] but provide more limited protection[27] against infection and onward transmission.

References

  1. ^ in Victoria (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  2. ^ Tasmania (www.health.tas.gov.au)
  3. ^ fourth year running (www.health.gov.au)
  4. ^ more indicators (www.health.gov.au)
  5. ^ outbreaks in aged care (www.health.gov.au)
  6. ^ almost as high now (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  7. ^ in Tasmania (www.health.tas.gov.au)
  8. ^ small rises so far (www.health.wa.gov.au)
  9. ^ New South Wales (www.health.nsw.gov.au)
  10. ^ Queensland (www.health.qld.gov.au)
  11. ^ South Australia (www.sahealth.sa.gov.au)
  12. ^ Australian Capital Territory (www.act.gov.au)
  13. ^ suggest (nextstrain.org)
  14. ^ XEC is a recombinant variant (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ JN.1 variant (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ laboratory evidence (www.biorxiv.org)
  17. ^ continued to decline (www.gov.uk)
  18. ^ four waves (www.health.gov.au)
  19. ^ spread more easily (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  20. ^ Tasmania (www.health.tas.gov.au)
  21. ^ wave may have peaked (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  22. ^ slow steady rise (www.health.qld.gov.au)
  23. ^ using RAT tests (www.thelancet.com)
  24. ^ matched to the JN.1 variant (theconversation.com)
  25. ^ check if you’re eligible (www.health.gov.au)
  26. ^ for about six months (www.publish.csiro.au)
  27. ^ more limited protection (www.journalofinfection.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/will-we-have-a-covid-wave-spike-or-blip-this-christmas-it-depends-where-you-live-245281

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...