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James Trauer, Associate Professor, Monash University

The 'Kraken' subvariant XBB.1.5 sounds scary. But behind the headlines are clues to where COVID's heading

Covid-19 Omicron Australia United Kingdom United States
Anastelfy/Shutterstock

The XBB.1.5 subvariant, known informally as “Kraken”, is the latest in a menagerie of Omicron subvariants to dominate the headlines, following increasing detection in the United States and United Kingdom.

But there have been few cases of XBB.1.5 in Australia so far. And its nickname – a mythical sea monster – may be causing unnecessary fear.

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