Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth is calling for calm on the “recent COVID fear campaign”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has agreed to hold a new meeting with state leaders to discuss the management of the winter COVID wave hitting Australia.

National Cabinet will meet on Monday to address a range of issues, including paid pandemic leave.

Dr Coatsworth believes the fear of the latest COVID wave is coming from a “narrow corner of the medical community”.

Mr Coatsworth told Chris Smith there is “no evidence” that the new Omicron subvariant is worse.

“There is no evidence that it’s any more virulent, that it’s going to kill any more people, that it’s going to kill people in a different age group.

“The biggest issue that might happen is there will be an increased burden on the hospital system.”

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Coatsworth’s COVID analysis

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