Experts say that while COVID numbers continue to decline, the pandemic will not be coming to an end this year.
Case numbers are reducing and Australia’s COVID fatality rate has improved, with vaccination attributed for the change.
However, Dr Maximillian de Courten, head of the Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy, says that while this is promising, the pandemic is still not over.
Dr de Courten said that with the potential for new variants which adapt themselves to be more transmissible, there is currently no end in sight of the pandemic.
Across Victoria over 69 percent of people aged 12 years and older are now up to date with three COVID-19 vaccinations, while almost 95 percent have received two doses.
In addition, almost 57 percent of children aged five to 11 years in the state have now received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.
Victoria has recorded nearly 2,950 new cases with 18 lives lost as of 30 August.
Lower COVID isolation time on the cards
The national cabinet is set to discuss reducing the required isolation time for those with COVID-19, with the issue listed on the agenda at Wednesday’s meeting.
Albanese noted that some state leaders had already raised the issue, with New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet strongly backing a reduction from seven days to five.
The move has also been backed by the Council of Small Business, saying that it would help to reduce the pressure of staff shortages.
However, Albanese confirmed that these would be discussions taking place over several weeks and would be guided by health advice.
University of Melbourne Professor James McCaw said isolation was a critically important element in reducing transmission.
Research statistics show that after Day 5, half of those with COVID are still infectious, while after Day 7 it is only a quarter.
Vic lockdowns worsened loneliness in the elderly
A study has found that lockdowns across Victoria worsened loneliness in the elderly.
The world-first study by Melbourne researchers has found that lockdowns saw elderly Victorians experience episodes of frequent distress and a loss of identity, with previous coping mechanisms affected by pandemic rules.
Lead researcher for the study, Dr Barbara Barbosa Neves from Monash University, said that
participants saw their close relationships impacted and new triggers for loneliness or feelings of despair emerged.
Health Message
Australia’s top medical body continues to advise Victorians to voluntarily wear their masks indoors where possible, even though it is not mandated.
The Australian Medical Association has said that they recommend the Victorian public wear masks in spaces with high transmissibility risk, such as theatres and supermarkets.
President of the Victorian branch of the AMA, Dr Roderick McRae has also previously said that people need to better support the public health and hospital system through these voluntary behaviours.
(News complied by NEMBC Multilingual News Service, Victoria)
The Indian Sun acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
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Experts say that while COVID numbers continue to decline, the pandemic will not be coming to an end this year. Case numbers are reducing & Australia’s COVID fatality rate has improved, with vaccination attributed for the change. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/CsafGiUVcs
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