COVID infections are spiking again and the peak isn't expected for another month or so. It's prompted Australia's health chief to say we 'need to do things differently'.
"It is already difficult for our hospitals,He says hospitals – which have been battling COVID for more than two years now – are already experiencing high levels of patients, and absenteeism due to illness in staff."Due to the number of cases,, particularly among those who are at higher risk of severe disease, most notably people over the age of 80 and those who have not received all recommended vaccine doses," Professor Kelly said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
"These variants are highly infectious and have an ability to evade the immune protection from either previous infection or vaccine," Professor Kelly said. "Although three or four doses of vaccine remain very effective at providing protection against severe disease from BA.4 and BA.5,from person to person.""Yesterday reaching 5,200 hospitalisations with COVID is very close to our peak throughout the entire pandemic, and it will be more," he told RN Breakfast.Professor Kelly said the AHPPC had called on employers to allow work from home if feasible.
"Employers should review their occupational health and safety risks and mitigations, and their business continuity plans," he said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Indigenous Australians losing drivers licenses and face crushing debts over NSW Covid fines, lawyers sayAboriginal Legal Service NSW urges fines for public health rule breaches be withdrawn or converted to cautions
Read more »
The 'unseen tragedy' of COVID pandemic affecting thousands of AustraliansHealthcare professionals say the long wait times for elective surgery during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic have gotten worse, with hospitals across the country in real trouble.
Read more »
Live: CMO says Australians 'need to do things differently' to ease looming COVID waveChief Medical Officer Paul Kelly encourages Australians to wear masks in most settings, but governments stop short of declaring mandates. Follow live.
Read more »
South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer, Nicola Spurrier, has COVID-19South Australia's top public health doctor has tested positive to COVID-19.
Read more »
I challenged my COVID public health order fine, and wonThe fairest, safest, and least costly way forward is to issue a blanket forgiveness on all COVID tickets.
Read more »
Morning mail: ‘Shocking’ environment scorecard, fake Aboriginal souvenirs, health staff under Covid pressureTuesday: New report reveals many Australians ecosystems are showing signs of collapse. Plus: why Home & Away beat Neighbours in soap battle
Read more »