Queenslanders are being urged to book in their COVID booster vaccinations following a recent surge in hospitalisations relating to the virus and the emergence of a new subvariant.
The state’s health authority issued the warning on Thursday, directing it at people who had not received a dose this year or for more than six months, especially those over the age of 65.
It was prompted after hospitals across the state saw an unusual admission rate of COVID-infected patients this week, with a total of 146 cases currently active compared to just half the number two weeks ago.
Queensland Health attributed the “clear increase” in transmission of the virus predominantly to low booster rates in older residents but said the advent of Pirola – a multi-mutated strain – also had a part to play.
“The number of people hospitalised with the virus has doubled over the past two weeks and I expect hospital admissions will rise in the coming week,” Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said.
“Now is a good time to get a COVID-19 booster if you are aged 65 or over and haven’t had one in 2023. This is even more important for people over 75 years.”
Dr Gerrard also identified people with medical comorbidities as being at high risk of virus contraction but said the spike in infections came as a reminder for all Queenslanders to not get complacent.
“COVID-19 has not established a predictable seasonal pattern as yet and it continues to mutate, which is why we all need to be vigilant,” he said.
Although showing limited signs so far, the onset of Pirola poses significant transmission threats for the community.
The variant has been confirmed to have more than 30 different mutations, which makes its scope of risk difficult to evaluate.
Pirola has been observed in a number of countries over the world of late, with the United Kingdom witnessing the rapid-spreading effects of the strain to the biggest extent.
Pandemic-style restrictions have been re-imposed in several parts of the UK, as positive COVID-cases have doubled nearly every day in recent weeks since the variant surfaced.
In August, the World Health Organisation designated Pirola a “variant under monitoring” given its large number of mutations.
(SKY NEWS)
