Australia’s top teachers have revealed why Covid cases are soaring in every state and territory – and how you can help slow the spread this Christmas.
There were 6,550 cases reported across the country last week, with the Department of Health and Aged Care confirming an average of 936 new cases per day.
In New South Wales, Covid activity has increased “by all indicators” over the past fortnight, with more than one in ten PCR tests returning a positive result.
However, with fewer people being tested and jurisdictions no longer collecting information on self-reported RAT tests, the latest numbers are likely a huge underestimate.
Epidemiology professor Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia that while the latest wave of Covid infections was unfortunate, it was not surprising.
Professor Bennett said people’s immunity to the virus wanes after a while, meaning they could be more susceptible to a new sub-variant.
Australia’s top teachers have revealed why Covid cases are soaring in every state and territory (pictured, beachgoers celebrate Christmas Day on Bondi Beach)
There were 6,550 Covid cases reported across the country last week, with the Department of Health and Aged Care confirming an average of 936 new cases per day.
She said the new EG5.1 subvariant was responsible for half of cases in NSW and would continue to generate new infections in the coming weeks.
“This wave came six months after the one we experienced over the winter and got off to a reasonably slow start,” Professor Bennett said.
“With each wave, we saw a benefit of hybrid immunity with vaccines and prior infection against a series of subvariants.”
“However, with each increase in infections, a proportion of people will end up in hospital.”
Professor of Epidemiology Catherine Bennett
Professor Bennett said people should not wait for a cough or sore throat before testing the new sub-variant associated with milder symptoms.
“Some of the less common symptoms, like muscle aches and back pain, tend to be a little more present, some people may just have a fever or a runny nose,” she said.
“There is more virus circulating in the population, so people need to be careful about potential exposures and think about the risk they pose to others.”
Professor Bennett said infected people should wear a mask in the house and adopt Covid-safe practices to protect those most vulnerable to the disease.
Professor Peter Collignon, one of Australia’s most trusted Covid experts, told Daily Mail Australia he did not see Christmas as a “big problem” in terms of new infections.
He said there were usually two or three waves of Covid each year, with Australia already experiencing two – one in January and last winter.
“So it’s unlikely we’ll have anything significant this summer,” he said.
“In the summer we have the benefit of being outside more, people can have barbecues instead of sitting inside and do things that will reduce the spread of Covid while still allowing a relatively normal social life. “
Professor Peter Collignon, one of Australia’s most trusted Covid experts, told Daily Mail Australia he did not see Christmas as a “big problem” in terms of new infections.
Professor Collignon said the virus had to change to survive, but with each wave and each new sub-variant the disease became less severe.
“It is only a cause for concern if the virus becomes fatal or escapes the effects of the vaccine, but that has not happened,” he said.
The infectious disease doctor gave some simple advice to those who tested positive over the holiday season: “If you’re sick, don’t go.”
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.
Passengers aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship continue to battle two cases of gastro and Covid-19 after the ship docked in Adelaide on Monday.
Patients suffering from extreme cases will be taken to city hospitals while others who have managed to dodge the virus prepare to disembark.
