Hospitalisations and ICU admissions are also easing since the staggering Omicron peak in mid January.Another 14 people have died with Covid-19, while 2099 patients were in hospital with the virus and 137 in ICU, down from 2321 and 147 respectively on Sunday.Monday’s update from NSW Health is another drop from Sunday’s 7893 new infections, the lowest daily total since December 28.The state recorded 8389 infections on Saturday and 10,698 new cases on Friday.Monday’s numbers included 3917 positive results from rapid antigen tests and 3520 from PCR tests.Each household with a child enrolled in school in 2021 are now eligible to apply for the five $50 vouchers through the Service NSW app as a “thank you” for their efforts in homeschooling during the Covid-19 lockdown.The vouchers have been brought forward a month and can be spent on accommodation, entertainment and recreational activities, such as the cinema or zoo, until October.Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello is encouraging parents to make the most of the vouchers.“We’re encouraging parents and all adults in NSW to take advantage of these various vouchers because they are so good in helping to stimulate the economy,” he said.“And ultimately helping in particular small businesses that have done it so really hard over the last few years.”Up to one million families will benefit from the vouchers and can be used seven days a week, including public holidays.In addition, travel vouchers in the Stay NSW scheme will be available from February 21 allowing all residents over 18 to apply for one $50 voucher to use at registered accommodation across the state.VIC: 8275 CASES, SEVEN DEATHSVictoria has recorded 8275 new cases and seven Covid deaths in the past 24 hours.There are now 638 infected people in Victorian hospitals, with 72 in intensive care and 26 on ventilators.Victoria’s pre-Omicron peak for Covid hospitalisations was 851 in October when the state was battling a surge in Delta infections.However, the figure is dwarfed by the 2099 people in NSW who are in hospital with Covid.More than 93 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated and the state has 59,801 active cases.A total of 16,338 PCR tests were taken on Wednesday and 13,486 vaccines were administered at state hubs. It comes after the state government revealed it will spend $1.4 billion on more ambulance officers, respiratory clinics and personal protective equipment.It will also extend the “surge allowance” paid to frontline doctors, nurses and paramedics.“They care for us – and we’ll back them 100 per cent,” Mr Andrews said on Sunday.The state has seen a steady decline in Covid infections in recent weeks, with authorities now believing the state has passed its Omicron peak.Health Minister Martin Foley said there was no doubt Omicron had put extra pressure on health and ambulance services.“Our doctors, nurses and paramedics have done a magnificent job as our front line of defence against the pandemic and we’re backing them by providing the support they deserve,” he said.FOURTH BOOSTER SHOT NECESSARY, SAY EXPERTSA leading vaccinologist says a fourth dose will likely be necessary to protect against Covid-19 after six months.However, health experts are divided on how long protection from one booster dose will last.Medical experts told The Australian that a third booster shot offers proven “returns” when it comes to immunity although evidence on the benefits of a fourth dose – as rolled out in Israel – is still emerging.The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is currently weighing whether to recommend a second booster shot, but some experts have warned against rushing into a fourth dose.Infectious disease expert Paul Griffin said while a three-dose course of vaccinations, combined with the high infection rate in the community, would provide adequate protection for at least six months, it depended entirely on what new variants emerged next.“I really think we wouldn’t consider doing it any shorter than six months,” he told The Australian.“But it depends on the situation; I think protection will last long enough, well beyond six months, provided we don’t see a new variant that does change that situation.”Dr Griffin said the Covid-19 booster shots would likely end up being a yearly ritual, and could even be combined with a flu jab in the future.“We’ll need additional doses, probably not stopping at four,” he said. “It’s too early to know what it will look like. There is obviously a lot of activity in terms of making variant-specific boosters, such as an Omicron-specific booster.“We see that protection jumps up with that third dose but we may have to use another booster in the future against a new variant. “In terms of the logistics of protection, bringing forward the boosters comes at a slight cost of the longevity of protection – it was right to get people protected against Omicron but how long that protection lasts is slightly reduced.”National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance director Kristine Macartney agreed and said with immunity from a third shot likely to last three or four months, it was likely more booster doses would be necessary.NED-5291-What to do if your rapid antigen test is positiveShe said the winter months may also increase the need for certain people to receive a fourth shot.“We are going to need additional boosters over time, but it’s going to depend on the Australian context … every country looks at their own epidemiology, their own population immunity and vaccine uptake and factors like if new variants have emerged,” she said.“Having an extra vaccine dose will be suitable for certain members of the population before winter but it is not a decision to be made now but closer to the time.”The Doherty Institute’s Terry Nolan said Australians urgently needed to present for their third booster shot at much higher rates – with just 43.5 per cent of NSW’s eligible population and 43 per cent of Victoria’s having received their third shot – before the question of a fourth was considered.
Powered by WPeMatico
