Qld Health warns a new Covid subvariant puts the elderly at risk

The Covid crisis of 2020 is over, but the disease is still here - and there are growing fears about a new subvariant in one Australian state.

A dangerous new Covid subvariant is washing over Queensland. Picture: Supplied

A new Covid subvariant could be causing a spike in hospitalisations and authorities are pleading with vulnerable and elderly patients to get booster shots to stave off the threat.

Queensland Health said on Thursday it had 146 people in its hospitals suffering through a Covid infection, twice the number of hospitalisations from just two weeks ago.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said the surge in cases was largely due to low booster rates in older Queenslanders and the possible emergence of a new Covid variant called Pirola.

“We are seeing a clear increase in Covid-19 transmission in Queensland at the moment,” Dr Gerrard said.

“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.”

Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard is warning about the possible intrusion of Pirola into the state. Picture: Glenn Campbell / NCA NewsWire

Dr Gerrard said it was a “good time” for people aged over 65 to get a booster shot or for those who haven’t had a shot in 2023.

“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.

“Vaccination remains our best protection against Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.

“In addition to getting vaccinated, Queenslanders need to stay home when sick and regularly wash their hands to minimise the spread.”

Health authorities recommend booster shots to defend against new Covid variants. Picture: Supplied

Little is known about Pirola but an October letter to the New England Journal of Medicine signed by a number of medical experts warns it could potentially trigger a “global surge” in new cases.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports 19,510 people have died with or from Covid infections from the start of the pandemic through to July 31, 2023.

Covid was the underlying cause of death for 15,460, 79.2 per cent, of the fatalities.

Chronic cardiac conditions were the most common pre-existing chronic condition for those who had Covid certified as the underlying cause of death, the ABS states.