Australians Urged to Remain Vigilant as Covid Cases Rise Amidst Variant Concerns
As Australia gears up for the summer season, health experts are issuing a timely warning to the public to continue taking COVID-19 seriously, as a resurgence of cases fueled by a diverse range of variants is sweeping across the country.
Recent data indicates the presence of multiple COVID-19 strains circulating within Australian communities, including the current Omicron subvariants EG.5 (Eris) and BA 2.86 (Pirola). Pirola, due to its numerous mutations, was designated a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization on August 19. It has been detected in 11 countries, including Australia, the UK, the US, South Africa, Thailand, Japan, Switzerland, and South Korea. One case has been identified in Western Australia.
The latest health warnings coincide with confirmation by NSW Health of a recent increase in community cases and widespread transmission. In the week ending October 24, Australia reported 6,550 cases, translating to an average of 936 cases per day. NSW recorded the highest number of daily cases during the week, with 273 cases, according to the country’s live COVID-19 tracker. Victoria closely followed with 201 cases, while South Australia and Queensland recorded 153 cases and 133 cases, respectively.
In a significant shift, the federal health department will transition from weekly to monthly reporting of COVID-19 trends starting on November 10, with October 27 marking the final weekly update. Australia’s chief medical officer, Professor Paul Kelly, explained that this strategy aligns with a “business as usual” approach.
Despite the transition to monthly reporting, health experts urge Australians to maintain vigilance and adhere to recommended COVID-19 safety measures, including staying home when unwell, getting tested promptly if experiencing symptoms, and maintaining up-to-date vaccinations. These measures are crucial in mitigating the spread of the virus and protecting the most vulnerable members of the community.