In view of the continuous and extensive transmission of COVID-19 in the community, the Chief Health Officer of Queensland is highlighting the vital need for people to update their immunisation records.
Dr. John Gerrard expects this tendency to continue until the fourth wave’s climax. Concerningly more positive cases have been reported in the last week. From November 30 to December 7 13,632 positive cases were reported. Which is a 21% increase from the week before. Although the number of hospital admissions has not changed significantly, Dr. Gerrard is concerned that a sizable proportion of those over 60 are not up to date on their immunisations and are therefore becoming infected.
Dr. Gerrard emphasised the significance of making sure that those at higher risk of serious illness, especially those over 60, receive the required four doses of the vaccine, despite the reassuringly low hospitalisation rates in contrast to prior waves.
In order to inform its COVID-19 response and ascertain how upcoming waves might affect the community, Queensland Health is closely monitoring illnesses. More than 80% of positive cases in this wave are people who are infected for the first time. According to Dr. Gerrard, indicating that people who have not yet contracted COVID-19 are still susceptible.
With a positive outlook, Dr. Gerrard brought up the prospect of future waves being milder as hybrid immunity spreads. Furthermore, he emphasised the efficacy of antiviral therapies, especially for those over the age of 70, and urged them to make arrangements for receiving these therapies in the event of infection.
Though Dr. Gerrard acknowledged that antiviral therapies were used more frequently during the current wave he expressed optimism that this trend would continue. Queensland’s COVID-19 traffic light system, however, will continue to be on amber due to the elevated prevalence of infections. Wearing a mask is advised in medical settings, inside when social distancing isn’t an option, and when using public transportation.
