A rise in Covid cases has more Australians rushing to catch up on booster vaccinations amid concerns of another ‘Covid Christmas’.
New New South Wales Health data released on Thursday shows Covid indicators have risen across the board over the past two weeks, with 5,718 cases reported.
‘Total [emergency department] Presentations for Covid for the fortnight ending November 19 were higher than for the fortnight ending November 5, although there was a small decline over the past week,” the report said.
‘The number of admissions and the percentage requiring admission remained stable, indicating that severity has not increased [of the disease].’
It added that the risk of Covid transmission in the community is now assessed as ‘moderate to high’, with children aged four and under and people over 65 most affected.
New South Wales recorded a 20 per cent rise in Covid cases this fortnight, with the surge set to peak around Christmas.
NSW Health’s director of communicable diseases, Christine Selvey, warned the latest wave was likely to peak at Christmas for “the third year in a row”.
“No one has a crystal ball, but the modeling we have suggests the increase will continue through December,” she told the newspaper. ABC.
‘We had that first Omicron wave to coincide with Christmas and New Year when it was very, very hectic and again last year around Christmas time, so it certainly could be – we don’t expect the peak to happen sometime in December. ‘
The 20 percent increase in cases compared to the past two weeks has been accompanied by an increase in vaccination rates.
More than 17,300 vaccine doses administered in NSW in the two weeks to November 8, compared to just 9,700 doses in the previous two weeks, the highest increase in boosters of any state.
Health Minister Mark Butler announced a new Covid vaccine on Monday.
The new XBB 1.5 vaccines are designed to better target current variants in the community and will be available from December 11. Pfizer and Moderna will also release updated booster shots.
Mr Butler’s announcement is believed to have driven the increase in vaccinations and is a reminder for doctors and health-conscious Australians to boost their immunity.
The increase in cases has been accompanied by a rise in vaccination rates following Health Minister Mark Butler’s announcement on Monday that a new Covid vaccine will be available in December.
Australian Medical Association NSW president Dr Michael Bonning said the end of the year and upcoming Christmas family holidays are an incentive for people to guard against new Covid strains.
“The Covid virus has drifted and changed in terms of what it looks like to the immune system,” he shared ABC on Thursday.
‘That’s why we need new versions of the vaccine as more and more Covid cases are reported.’
About 1.3 million booster shots have been administered in NSW since the start of 2023, with the busiest time recorded in May, but 89 per cent of the state’s population has not been vaccinated in the past six months.
Because the effectiveness of the vaccine drops significantly after that time, NSW Health has urged everyone over the age of 65 and adults who are at higher risk of severe Covid infection to go for a booster.
“These new vaccines will help protect Australians against current forms of Covid and demonstrate the Government’s continued commitment to providing access to the latest and most effective vaccines,” Mr Butler said.
‘Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness and death from Covid, especially for older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
‘While we are no longer in the emergency phase of this pandemic, Covid is still present and people should continue to follow the advice of ATAGI’s experts, including obtaining vaccines as needed.’
NSW Health advised Covid patients and residents with weakened immune systems to wear face masks in public spaces to limit community transmission
NSW Health also encouraged anyone with cold or flu symptoms to stay at home and wear face masks when they must enter a public space.
Those at high risk of serious illness were also urged to wear face masks.
“Be kind and considerate if someone decides to wear a face mask,” a spokesperson said.