Covid-19 reinfection: Health authorities warn of 28-day risk, more severe symptoms

Health authorities have moved to dispel the myth that repeat Covid-19 infections were more mild, warning that with the new sub-variants, reinfection was possible within 28 days. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Repeated Covid-19 infections could mean “more severe symptoms” with Queenslanders warned the virus could hit them again just a month after getting sick.

The number of Queenslanders in hospital due to Covid-19 the highest since February, with infectious disease experts calling for a concerted education campaign to remind people of the benefits of being up-to-date with their jabs and masking up.

As of July 11 anyone aged 30 and older can get a fourth vaccine dose in order to top up their immunity, as long as it’s been three months since their last jab or Covid-19 infection whichever is shorter.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on Friday warned the new sub-variants of Omicron — BA. 4 and BA. 5 — led to quicker reinfection, with people able to get sick again within 28 days instead of the previously believed three months.

Queenslanders are being warned about the risks associated with Covid reinfection. Picture David Clark

Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett, from Deakin University, said the belief people would have a milder case of Covid-19 if they had previously been infected was not completely correct.

“It doesn’t seem to work that way, and in fact, some research we’re seeing (shows) people were reporting more severe symptoms, not less,” she said.

“By severe, I mean, that might not put you in hospital but it might mean instead of saying “oh I’ve got a symptom, I’ve tested positive” to someone who’s thinking “I can’t do anything for a week

“The other concern, of course, is that repeated infections might set you up differently for a risk of long Covid.”

Long Covid happens when symptoms including extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, and joint and muscle pain persist for longer than 12 weeks.

Authorities on Monday confirmed 782 people were being treated in Queensland’s hospitals for Covid-19, on top of the 104 patients currently admitted for the flu.

The health system is under significant pressure, with 2337 staff furloughed due to infection.

Data shows Queensland has the lowest rate of booster jab take-up in the nation, with less than 64 per cent of the population aged 16 or older protected with a third dose.

Infectious disease expert Paul Griffin, from Mater Health Services, said an education campaign led by health authorities around the importance of masking up and getting Covid-19 booster shots was imperative.

“It relies on people doing the right thing … with the low rates of uptake in this state in particular, it does leave us quite vulnerable,” he said.

Prof Bennett said tailored messaging from health departments — rather than ad hoc advertising on TV or political press conferences — was needed to motivate people to keep themselves and the community safe.

Older Queenslanders are being urged to get their fourth booster shots. Picture: Getty Images)

“You can only make informed choices if you’ve got the information. So I do think we need more information,” she said.

Prof McMillan said mandates were politically unattractive but the government may have to “rethink this” if the Covid-19 situation got to a point where hospital beds “are so full we are then unable to treat people who have much more serious and immediate needs”.

“Many of the people we have in our hospital beds right now aren’t vaccinated or partially vaccinated,” he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged older Queenslanders to urgently get their fourth booster jab if they are able, noting 91 per cent of all deaths in the state with Covid-19 were people aged 65 or older.

“If you’re 65 and over, seriously, okay. Get that full dose, but also to strongly encourage you if you’re in that age bracket, seniors in our community to think about wearing masks in crowded spaces.”