The Western Australian government is urging people to stay at home if unwell and consider wearing a mask amid a sudden uptick of hospitalisations from COVID-19.
The Department of Health claims surveillance data revealed a boost in COVID-19 cases in the last two months with several hundred cases.
“Surveillance data–from wastewater, and the number of reported cases and hospitalisations–indicates increasing community transmission of COVID-19 since mid-October,” WA health said.
“Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms is urged to stay home and monitor their symptoms.”
Director Communicable Diseases Dr. Paul Armstrong warned of the risk of virus spreading more quickly in the holiday season.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He added COVID-19 could cause life-threatening complications, particularly among older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.
The Health Department also pushed the COVID-19 booster vaccine, which was released on Dec. 9, 2024, and is now available in Western Australia.
“The Department of Health is encouraging people to make sure their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date in the lead up to the festive season,” the health department added.
Dr. Armstrong added the new Pfizer JN.1 vaccine had been designed to target a different subvariant to previous vaccines.
“COVID-19 has changed a lot over the past year within Australia and throughout the world,” he said.
What Is the Data Showing?
Health Department data shows 459 COVID-19 PCR positive cases in the week ending Dec. 8 (pdf), up from 177 (pdf) in the week ending Oct. 13.Hospitalisation of COVID-19 cases also rose to an average of 75 per day, up from 50 per day in October. However, the seven-day average for cases in intensive care units remained at one in both October and December.
What Does the Health Advice Recommend?
Individuals aged between 18 and 64 are only recommended to take the booster dose of the vaccine if they are severely immunocompromised, and are also categorised as “eligible“ for a booster dose every 12 months.Children between 5 and 17 are not recommended to take the booster vaccine dose, while those who are severely immunocompromised are eligible.
Meanwhile, children under five are not recommended to take the COVID-19 booster vaccination at all.
The federal government currently recommends a booster every six months for adults aged over 75 every six months, while those aged between 65 and 74 are recommended every six months.
Meanwhile, former MP and aspiring Libertarian candidate for the NSW Senate, Craig Kelly, has continued his criticism of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Most of them also reported experiencing anxiety or depression, with about one fourth considering suicide, as a result of mandates,” the study said.
