‘We are at the start of the third wave’: Warning as Covid-19 case numbers rise sharply

The World Health Organisation has issued a stark warning about how new variants and rising case numbers pose a real threat to public heath.

New mutations of Covid-19 — the most contagious yet — are causing the number of infections to explode around the world.

In a World Health Organisation briefing, Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of cases had jumped by nearly 30 per cent globally in the past two weeks.

The Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, first detected in South Africa in November last year, are largely responsible for the outbreaks in Europe and the US, where the majority of new cases were logged.

This image obtained by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Picture: AFP

Dr Tedros said a new a new sub-lineage of BA.2.75 had also been detected in countries like India — a development being closely followed by the WHO.

The world is facing a raft of challenges, two and a half years after the novel virus emerged in Wuhan, China.

Testing for Covid-19 has fallen off a cliff around the world and the WHO doesn’t have a clear picture of the true number of cases.

New oral antiviral treatments are not reaching low and low-middle income countries, Dr Tedros added.

And as the virus evolves, the effectiveness of vaccines will be reduced.

Dr Tedros said while vaccines were “still really effective at preventing serious disease and death”, the protection given by vaccines would wane as new variants emerged.

“Decreasing immunity underscores the importance of boosters, especially for the most at-risk,” he said.

Aa medical worker wearing personal protective equipment in New Delhi. Picture: Atish Patel/AFP

Dr Tedros also warned about long covid — an umbrella term for a loosely-defined grouping of ailments associated with the virus. He cautioned the condition would put an extra burden on health systems, the wider economy and society at large.

He called on people to mitigate the risk of contracting Covid-19 by using “tried and tested public health measures” like wearing masks in public places and staying home if sick.

Cases are also surging in Australia.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant on Tuesday warned, “We are at the start of a third Covid-19 Omicron wave and expect to see a significant rise in cases.”

Dr Kerry Chant provides a Covid-19 update in Sydney. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

She said the outbreak could peak in July or early August.

“I’m concerned about this picture and I am calling on the community to do a few things to protect yourself and each other,” she said, urging residents to ensure they were vaccinated.

“Isolate if you’re sick and get tested, wear a mask when indoors and around other people and know if antivirals are recommended from you,” Dr Chant said.

“So please wear a mask in indoor areas around other people outside your home, including public transport, pharmacies and shops. Masks, while protecting yourself, can also protect other people.”

Queensland is also dealing with a dangerous outbreak, with chief health officer Dr John Gerrard warning the third wave will increase hospitalisations in coming weeks.

“The good news is that up to date vaccination will protect you against severe disease and hospitalisation, and if you are up to date the illness that you will get with this virus is likely to be mild,” he said.

Dr John Gerrard during a press conference at the PA Hospital in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

There are about 33,000 new infections recorded in Australia every day.

More than eight million cases have been logged in Australia, with the vast majority of people recovering. About 10,100 people have died during the pandemic in Australia.

Worldwide, more than 550 million cases have been oficially recorded and there have been more than 6.3 million deaths attributed to the respiratory disease. The true number is likely much higher.

State governments — who are largely responsible for public health measures — have so far resisted calls to reinstate mask mandates.

“I do look back at the lockdown phase with concern that we had to go down that path at that time,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

“I would certainly not want to be seeing mandatory orders again in place for a whole range of reasons.

“How long with this be with us? Probably a very long while, so we need to learn what measures can keep us safe in a one-in-100-year pandemic.”