Hunter COVID-19 hospitalisations and outbreaks have reached their highest-ever in the past 12 months, thanks to a new variant.
As winter progresses, influenza and RSV rates continue to rise across the state, with thousands of reported cases each week.
But, COVID-19 is still proving to be as present as ever.
Over the past three weeks, cases of the virus in the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) have increased by an astonishing 80% from 157 notifications in the week ending 7 June to 284 (28 June), according to the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report.
Public Health Physician from Hunter New England Population Health Peter Murray said although the general case levels were moderate, the real issue lies within those most at risk.
“We don’t have as good visibility of COVID-19 like we used to,” he explained.
“So, we’re relying on a whole host of different surveillance tools to give us an impression of numbers in our community and across the state.
“What we look at in Hunter New England are hospitalisations for COVID-19 and aged care outbreaks due to COVID-19, as well as things like wastewater surveillance at Burwood Beach, which measures COVID-19 levels in sewerage.
“If we look at that, we haven’t seen numbers like this in 12 months.
“So, this is a significant wave that we’re seeing at the moment.”
Dr Murray said the spike in case numbers was mainly due to a new strain of the virus.
The NB.1.8.1 variant, also known as the Nimbus strain, was first identified in January this year in Asia, but has quickly spread into other countries, including Australia.
“When we look at global data, we’re not seeing this variant being more severe than others,” Dr Murray said,
“But, what it is good at is evading the immune system, so getting around either vaccine or infection induced immunity.
“It’s sticky, that’s probably the best way to describe it.
“It binds to the receptors in our respiratory tract more than other variants, so we’re seeing that with those two combined it’s got an advantage to others that are circulating.”
The spread has gotten so severe, a Hunter aged-care home reportedly had to shut its doors recently due to the outbreak… in order to keep the residents safe.
Dr Murray said members of the public could reduce the extent of the virus by staying up-to-date with vaccines and isolating if experiencing respiratory symptoms.
“Other ways you can protect yourself is to wear a mask in high-risk settings,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“But, for protecting others, what’s really important is staying home if you’re sick.
“Don’t go to work, don’t send the kids to school if they’ve got symptoms, and if you do have them, wear a mask.
“Also, don’t go visit people who are at high- risk of severe illness, like friends in hospital or family who in an aged-care facility.”
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