An unwelcome guest looks set to join us for the festive period – that’s if the latest Omicron wave of COVID infections proves to be more challenging to shake off than experts first predicted… The spectre at the feast has seen infections and hospitalisations rise in recent weeks, which experts say is down to the lifting of pretty much all restrictions and waning immunity. Nearly a quarter of all Aussies haven’t had a 3rd dose, and most have shied away from a 4th jab. The number of people needing urgent medical care is expected to continue rising and peak on or around 25 December (making Santa’s trip around the world a potential superspreader event…). Nearly 109,000 Aussies tested positive last week, and that’s with significantly lower testing rates and reporting. Experts say the real figure could be 5-10 times higher, meaning as many as 1 in 25 Aussies could currently have COVID. If you’re short on gift ideas, may we suggest a RAT?