Cases of COVID-19 are rising in NSW, with health bosses classing transmission rates as “moderate to high”.
While the public no longer has to register their test if they have COVID-19, NSW Health is still tracking cases via lab tests such as from GPs.
NSW Health said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, community transmission is now “moderate to high”.
The numbers were up 11 per cent – to a total of 4733 cases – according to the most recent figures for the fortnight ending November 4.
The amount of people going to emergency departments for COVID-19 is also on the up.
Young children and over 65s were particularly seeking hospital help, NSW Health said.
And while cases of flu are also “persisting”, NSW Health numbers of people affected by another respiratory disease, RSV, has dropped by almost eight per cent.
Aussie are being reminded to keep up to date with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, stay at home if sick, and see their GP if they’re at high risk if affected.
NSW Health also suggested people should meet in the open air – one of the major rules of lockdowns, saying “get together outside,” in its thread on X.
NSW isn’t the only state where cases are rising.
Data late last month showed the virus was spreading across the country, with cases increasing about 23 per cent in the week to October 24.
However top doctors have rejected the return of rules such as mask-wearing.
Dr Nick Coatsworth told Today it was important to remember that vaccination and booster shots remained a strong defence against COVID-19.
A leading epidemiologist has identified two factors driving the surge in Australia’s coronavirus numbers.
And she has revealed what she believes will help push the country over its latest COVID wave – the country’s eighth – by Christmas.
Several coronavirus strains are currently permeating throughout the country, with EG.5 — or Eris — the most common, making up more than 50 per cent of genotype samples in NSW.
Queensland has offered hospitals and health services the option to introduce mandatory mask-wearing, with more than 200 people, mostly over the age of 65, in hospital — including two patients in intensive care.
The emergence of COVID subvariant BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola and an offshoot of Omicron subvariant BA.2, has also forced authorities to take notice.
Pirola has been in Australia for some months but is now starting to be linked with more infections.
COVID cases recently spiked by more than 23 per cent across the country but it is likely that figure is actually much higher, given reduced reporting levels.
Epidemiology professor Catherine Bennett said authorities were unsurprised by the surge in numbers and had even expected a pre-summer wave.
