COVID-19 infections are on the rise once again across the Riverina. Photo: DI Productions.
Health authorities in the Riverina are warning residents to take precautions amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases across the region.
“Cases at the moment in our region in the Murrumbidgee are increasing,” Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) Director of Public Health Tracey Oakman said.
“We have over 4500 active cases in our region, so COVID is around.”
With the emergence of the new Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, NSW Health revised the official reinfection period from 12 weeks to just 28 days this week.
That means if you’ve got symptoms four weeks after previously having the virus, you will need to isolate again and get another test.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant says the subvariants are already circulating widely in NSW.
“They are more able to evade immunity gained from previous infection and vaccination reinfection is more likely and possible just weeks after a prior infection,” she explained.
“We’re urging people who have recently had COVID-19, even if they left isolation in the past four weeks, not to be complacent. If you develop symptoms again, make sure to test and isolate.”
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) announced last week that in addition to the over-50s, those aged 30 to 49 were also eligible for a fourth vaccine.
They warned that coverage among eligible populations with first booster (70.6%) and winter booster doses (59.5%) was “suboptimal”.
ATAGI emphasised “the importance of vaccination in preventing severe disease and death during this time, particularly in older adults and people aged 16 years and older with a medical condition or disability”.
According to Ms Oakman, the new variants are expected to peak towards the end of July and early August and she encouraged people to make sure they are fully vaccinated.
“The changes to the vaccination booster eligibility have occurred and it’s come in a timely way,” Ms Oakman said.
“People between 50 and 65 are encouraged strongly to get their fourth winter booster dose.
“If you’ve had two doses and you haven’t had that third booster dose, then please, I encourage you to get that. ”
She also reiterated Dr Chant’s call to take protective measures.
“When you’re outside the home, when you’re in areas where there are lots of people and you can’t separate from those people – please, I encourage you to wear a mask and make sure you wash your hands lots,” Ms Oakman said.
“There are protective measures that we can take to prevent ourselves from getting unwell.”
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