A major warning about mask-wearing has been issued by health authorities following a surge in Covid-19 cases in the run-up to Christmas.
A new wave of the virus is now sweeping the country, with a 23.6% increase in new cases recorded.
There have been 6,550 new cases of Covid-19 reported across the country in the past week, with the Department of Health and Aged Care confirming a reported average of 936 cases per day.
There have been 6,550 new cases of Covid-19 reported across the country in the past week, with the Department of Health and Aged Care confirming a reported average of 936 cases per day.
In New South Wales, Covid-19 activity has increased “by all indicators” over the past fortnight, with more than one in ten PCR tests carried out returning a positive result.
“Presentations to emergency departments for COVID-19 have increased across most age groups, particularly young children and people aged 65 and over,” the latest NSW Health data revealed.
The increase in cases has prompted health officials to recommend returning to pandemic habits of washing your hands and staying home if you feel sick.
“Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor areas and be kind to people who choose to wear a mask,” NSW Health said in a statement.
NSW Health pathology virologist and infectious disease doctor Dominic Dwyer said health services across the state had noticed more positive cases, confirming reports of a “new wave” of Covid- 19.
“PCR testing from NSW Health Pathology, which services NSW public hospitals, showed 8.6 per cent of PCRs were positive for SARS-CoV-2 last week,” he said.
He said SARS-CoV-2 cases were being monitored through testing, adding that the size and length of the wave was currently “unknown”.
“Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor areas and be kind to people who choose to wear a mask,” NSW Health said in a statement.
“This wave reinforces the importance of booster vaccinations against Covid-19,” he added.
NSW residents aren’t the only ones being asked to wear masks, with officials in Victoria also offering similar advice.
“This is an expected part of the continued evolution of the coronavirus in the community, as our immunity from infection and vaccination wanes over time and COVID-19 continues to circulate,” said the head of interim health.
Victoria recorded its highest daily average of new cases since June, with 321 people testing positive on Friday.
