Major change as Covid booster expanded

Two new Covid-19 subvariants are pushing up cases across the country, prompting the health protection committee to issue a fresh warning for Australians to protect themselves this winter.

There were more than 40,000 new virus cases across Australia over the past 24 hours.

Almost 4000 people are receiving treatment for Covid-19 in hospital and 141 are in intensive care.

“We are now beginning to see a new wave of Covid-19 infections, driven by the BA. 4 and BA. 5 Omicron subvariants,” the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) said in a statement on Friday.

The committee explained that BA. 4 and BA. 5 are associated with increased immune escape and is likely to cause rates of reinfection to rise among those who have previously been infected with an earlier Covid-19 variant and those who are fully vaccinated.

Reinfection can occur as early as 28 days after recovery from a previous Covid-19 infection.

“We expect that this wave will lead to a substantial increase in infections, hospitalisations and sadly, deaths, at a time when our communities and health systems are already under strain,” the committee said.

“Without increased community and public health actions, this impact may be similar to that experienced during the BA. 1 wave in January this year.”

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant told reporters last week that the virus had “changed” and the newer variants needed three or four vaccines for protection.

“Disregard anything we’ve said about two doses. It’s three doses or more,” she said.

As of Monday, the fourth dose of the vaccine opened up to an additional 7.4 million people.

Adults aged 30 to 49 years are now eligible to receive a winter booster dose while those aged 50 to 64 are strongly recommended to take up the fourth shot.

The winter booster is recommended for those who received their first booster dose or were infected with Covid-19 at least three months ago.

The AHPPC has reminded the public of the shared responsibility of individuals, employers and governments in minimising the impact of Covid-19.

They recommend wearing a mask outside your home when in crowded, indoor environments including on public transport, staying home if you have any symptoms and get tested.

As always, washing hands thoroughly throughout the course of the day is a great way to reduce your chances of catching the virus.

If you have any symptoms and are at higher risk of severe illness, you should speak to your GP immediately to get access to oral treatments.