Latest news with #HealthProtectionNSW
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Concerning': COVID and flu cases rising, as NSW Health issues warning
COVID cases have risen by 22 per cent and influenza cases by 32 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. "The upswing in COVID has come at the same time as influenza is on the rise," a NSW Health statement said. COVID cases had increased since early May. "Concerningly, the rate with the largest increase is in people aged 90 and over," the statement said. The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "COVID and influenza vaccinations are especially important at this time for people who are at risk of severe disease". The report showed weekly counts of unplanned emergency department presentations for COVID had spiked to about 400 statewide. Hospital admissions had risen to more than 100. For influenza-like illness, these figures were about 500 and less than 100 respectively. In NSW, 3475 people in NSW tested positive for COVID in the week ending June 14. This was a 10 per cent rise on the previous week. "Most people with COVID do not test for the virus, so the latest figures represent a small proportion of all people who have the virus," the statement said. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, of Health Protection NSW, said COVID was "circulating at moderate levels in the community and is likely to increase". "While most people have already received their primary course of COVID vaccinations, we're urging people - especially those aged 65 and over - to get a booster to protect themselves," Dr McAnulty said. "Boosters are recommended for people 75 and older every six months, and those 65 and older at least every 12 months. "COVID is a serious illness and can cause hospitalisation and death, especially in people who are older, have other risk factors or are immunocompromised." He said people with COVID aged 70 and older, or those with other risk factors, were "eligible for a course of antivirals, which can prevent serious illness" if taken early enough. "These people should make a plan with their doctor about what to do if they do get sick, including what test to take, and how to access antivirals quickly." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829) and liver disease (863). Canadian research, published in Nature Communications this month, examined frequent COVID vaccination in vulnerable people. The report said there had been concerns that repeated boosters may contribute to "T-cell exhaustion", which could "negatively affect the quality of immune protection". T-cells help protect the body from infection. The study found repeated COVID vaccination was "not associated with increased T-cell exhaustion in older frail adults, immunosuppressed individuals or healthy adults". University of Melbourne research, released this week, said "catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke". "Common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them," the study said, adding that vaccination could help reduce this. COVID cases have risen by 22 per cent and influenza cases by 32 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. "The upswing in COVID has come at the same time as influenza is on the rise," a NSW Health statement said. COVID cases had increased since early May. "Concerningly, the rate with the largest increase is in people aged 90 and over," the statement said. The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "COVID and influenza vaccinations are especially important at this time for people who are at risk of severe disease". The report showed weekly counts of unplanned emergency department presentations for COVID had spiked to about 400 statewide. Hospital admissions had risen to more than 100. For influenza-like illness, these figures were about 500 and less than 100 respectively. In NSW, 3475 people in NSW tested positive for COVID in the week ending June 14. This was a 10 per cent rise on the previous week. "Most people with COVID do not test for the virus, so the latest figures represent a small proportion of all people who have the virus," the statement said. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, of Health Protection NSW, said COVID was "circulating at moderate levels in the community and is likely to increase". "While most people have already received their primary course of COVID vaccinations, we're urging people - especially those aged 65 and over - to get a booster to protect themselves," Dr McAnulty said. "Boosters are recommended for people 75 and older every six months, and those 65 and older at least every 12 months. "COVID is a serious illness and can cause hospitalisation and death, especially in people who are older, have other risk factors or are immunocompromised." He said people with COVID aged 70 and older, or those with other risk factors, were "eligible for a course of antivirals, which can prevent serious illness" if taken early enough. "These people should make a plan with their doctor about what to do if they do get sick, including what test to take, and how to access antivirals quickly." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829) and liver disease (863). Canadian research, published in Nature Communications this month, examined frequent COVID vaccination in vulnerable people. The report said there had been concerns that repeated boosters may contribute to "T-cell exhaustion", which could "negatively affect the quality of immune protection". T-cells help protect the body from infection. The study found repeated COVID vaccination was "not associated with increased T-cell exhaustion in older frail adults, immunosuppressed individuals or healthy adults". University of Melbourne research, released this week, said "catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke". "Common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them," the study said, adding that vaccination could help reduce this. COVID cases have risen by 22 per cent and influenza cases by 32 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. "The upswing in COVID has come at the same time as influenza is on the rise," a NSW Health statement said. COVID cases had increased since early May. "Concerningly, the rate with the largest increase is in people aged 90 and over," the statement said. The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "COVID and influenza vaccinations are especially important at this time for people who are at risk of severe disease". The report showed weekly counts of unplanned emergency department presentations for COVID had spiked to about 400 statewide. Hospital admissions had risen to more than 100. For influenza-like illness, these figures were about 500 and less than 100 respectively. In NSW, 3475 people in NSW tested positive for COVID in the week ending June 14. This was a 10 per cent rise on the previous week. "Most people with COVID do not test for the virus, so the latest figures represent a small proportion of all people who have the virus," the statement said. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, of Health Protection NSW, said COVID was "circulating at moderate levels in the community and is likely to increase". "While most people have already received their primary course of COVID vaccinations, we're urging people - especially those aged 65 and over - to get a booster to protect themselves," Dr McAnulty said. "Boosters are recommended for people 75 and older every six months, and those 65 and older at least every 12 months. "COVID is a serious illness and can cause hospitalisation and death, especially in people who are older, have other risk factors or are immunocompromised." He said people with COVID aged 70 and older, or those with other risk factors, were "eligible for a course of antivirals, which can prevent serious illness" if taken early enough. "These people should make a plan with their doctor about what to do if they do get sick, including what test to take, and how to access antivirals quickly." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829) and liver disease (863). Canadian research, published in Nature Communications this month, examined frequent COVID vaccination in vulnerable people. The report said there had been concerns that repeated boosters may contribute to "T-cell exhaustion", which could "negatively affect the quality of immune protection". T-cells help protect the body from infection. The study found repeated COVID vaccination was "not associated with increased T-cell exhaustion in older frail adults, immunosuppressed individuals or healthy adults". University of Melbourne research, released this week, said "catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke". "Common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them," the study said, adding that vaccination could help reduce this. COVID cases have risen by 22 per cent and influenza cases by 32 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. "The upswing in COVID has come at the same time as influenza is on the rise," a NSW Health statement said. COVID cases had increased since early May. "Concerningly, the rate with the largest increase is in people aged 90 and over," the statement said. The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "COVID and influenza vaccinations are especially important at this time for people who are at risk of severe disease". The report showed weekly counts of unplanned emergency department presentations for COVID had spiked to about 400 statewide. Hospital admissions had risen to more than 100. For influenza-like illness, these figures were about 500 and less than 100 respectively. In NSW, 3475 people in NSW tested positive for COVID in the week ending June 14. This was a 10 per cent rise on the previous week. "Most people with COVID do not test for the virus, so the latest figures represent a small proportion of all people who have the virus," the statement said. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, of Health Protection NSW, said COVID was "circulating at moderate levels in the community and is likely to increase". "While most people have already received their primary course of COVID vaccinations, we're urging people - especially those aged 65 and over - to get a booster to protect themselves," Dr McAnulty said. "Boosters are recommended for people 75 and older every six months, and those 65 and older at least every 12 months. "COVID is a serious illness and can cause hospitalisation and death, especially in people who are older, have other risk factors or are immunocompromised." He said people with COVID aged 70 and older, or those with other risk factors, were "eligible for a course of antivirals, which can prevent serious illness" if taken early enough. "These people should make a plan with their doctor about what to do if they do get sick, including what test to take, and how to access antivirals quickly." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829) and liver disease (863). Canadian research, published in Nature Communications this month, examined frequent COVID vaccination in vulnerable people. The report said there had been concerns that repeated boosters may contribute to "T-cell exhaustion", which could "negatively affect the quality of immune protection". T-cells help protect the body from infection. The study found repeated COVID vaccination was "not associated with increased T-cell exhaustion in older frail adults, immunosuppressed individuals or healthy adults". University of Melbourne research, released this week, said "catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke". "Common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them," the study said, adding that vaccination could help reduce this.
7NEWS
14 hours ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
NSW Health's urgent warning as COVID makes nationwide comeback amid flu season
COVID cases are rising again across NSW, just as flu season starts to bite. At total of 3475 people were confirmed to have COVID in the week ending June 14, which was a 10 per cent increase on the previous week, NSW Health revealed on Thursday. The department is urging residents to get their COVID booster shot to protect themselves as the virus continues to spread. Cases have been steadily rising across the state since May, with the largest increase among people aged 90 and older. But the number of confirmed cases likely represents only a fraction of the true total, as most people no longer test for the virus. The uptick is not limited to NSW. According to COVID Life, every state and territory has recorded an increase in June, with NSW, Victoria and Queensland seeing the sharpest rises. Health Protection NSW executive director Dr Jeremy McAnulty warned COVID is circulating at moderate levels and could escalate further, especially if people let their guard down. 'COVID is a serious illness and can cause hospitalisation and death, especially in people who are older, have other risk factors, or are immunocompromised,' McAnulty said. Deakin University professor and chair of epidemiology Catherine Bennett told last month that a new COVID-19 variant — NB.1.8.1 — is spreading rapidly across Australia. 'It is related to variants that we've seen, it looks like two of them have kind of combined but it has some new mutations as well,' Bennett said. 'If you're exposed, you're more likely to catch it.' She added that vaccines can still offer protection. McAnulty also urged people, particularly those aged 65 and older, to get their booster dose. 'While most people have already received their primary course of COVID vaccinations, we're urging people, especially those aged 65 and over, to get a booster to protect themselves,' he said. 'Boosters are recommended for people 75 years and older every six months, and those 65 and older at least every 12 months.' In addition to vaccination, he said there are simple actions that can help slow the spread. 'While vaccination is the best protection, if we all do the right things, like staying home if we're sick, wearing a mask if you do need to go out when unwell, and avoiding crowded spaces for gatherings, we can protect each other from these nasty viruses,' McAnulty said. All COVID-19 vaccinations remain free for everyone in Australia, including those without a Medicare card.
