Seventy-five rushed to hospital per day in WA as Covid outbreak booms before Christmas

Another wave of Covid-19 is surging across one Aussie state, with authorities urging residents to have a new booster jab.

Australians have being urged to stay at home if they are unwell as another wave of Covid-19 surges in one state.

Cases are soaring in Western Australia as the holiday period ramps up, with authorities announcing a new updated booster vaccine is now available to all residents.

Recent surveillance data, including wastewater analysis and the number of reported cases and hospitalisations, has painted a worrying picture for the state’s frontline healthcare workers.

New figures show the average number of people currently hospitalised has risen to 75 per day.

WA Health had already warned that this current wave could peak during the holidays, raising concerns about a boom in infections as people gather for Christmas.

Another wave of Covid-19 is surging across Western Australia, with authorities announcing a new updated booster vaccine is now available to all residents.

The newly available booster has been formulated to target the latest subvariants of the ever-evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Speaking to The West, Dr Paul Armstrong explained that the new Pfizer JN.1 vaccine is designed to address a different subvariant than previous versions.

“Covid-19 has changed a lot over the past year within Australia and throughout the world,” Dr. Armstrong said.

“The new vaccine is expected to provide increased protection against the Omicron subvariants which are now circulating in WA.”

Dr Armstrong said some people were at greater risk of severe illness from the virus.

“Covid-19 can cause life-threatening complications, particularly among older adults and people with underlying medical conditions,” he said.

“With Christmas just around the corner, people may be out socialising with family and friends so there is the potential for infection to spread more easily compared to other times of the year.

“The best way to protect yourself and those around you from Covid-19 is to stay home if you are unwell, cover coughs and sneezes, wash or sanitise your hands often, consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor or high-risk settings, and get a booster vaccination.”

“The best way to protect yourself and those around you from Covid-19 is to stay home if you are unwell.”

WA Health’s guidelines recommend the booster for adults aged 75 and over who have completed their primary vaccination course and haven’t received a dose in the past six months.

WA Health’s guidelines recommend the booster for adults aged 75 and over who have completed their primary vaccination course and haven’t received a dose in the past six months.

Adults aged 65-74, as well as those who are severely immunocompromised, are also encouraged to get a booster every 12 months, with the option of an additional dose every six months based on individual health needs.

For all other adults and children aged 5-17 with severe immunocompromise, a booster is recommended annually.

WA Health is also urging anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home, as even mild symptoms can lead to long Covid, a condition that can last for months or even years.

The impact of repeat infections on long Covid has been highlighted by recent studies, which suggest the virus persists in the body, particularly in the brain, for years after the initial infection.