Australia will soon reach the milestone of immunizing 95% of its population with COVID-19, but since March, the state has the highest number of daily infections in more than a month and the number of cases has increased significantly. doing.
The country reported approximately 50,000 cases of COVID-19, including 29 deaths, on March 18. More than 20,000 of these cases occurred in New South Wales and six died.
Of these six, two were vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine three times, three were vaccinated twice, and one was vaccinated once.
To manage the pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced in mid-2021 a four-step plan based on the achievement of herd immunity.
However, according to Dr. Sean Stevens of the COVID Working Group at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, herd immunity remains elusive due to the ever-evolving mutants.
“Mutating infectious microorganisms over time is one of the first principles of medicine,” he says. Said.. “You would expect it to make it more difficult to achieve herd immunity.”
“Although 80% of the population can be vaccinated, is there herd immunity if vaccinated without protection from circulating strains?”
Authorities have recently stated that as winter approaches, an increase in infection with the Omicron subvariant BA.2 means the need for a fourth vaccine.
Health Minister Greg Hunt is considering mandating this fourth vaccination for older Australians to protect those who may have diminished from their original booster immunity. Was shown.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, thousands of Australians gathered in Queensland in response to the spread of an emergency COVID-19 infection by the state government.
During an emergency period that has been continuously extended since the start of the 2020 pandemic and recently extended in November, authorities have the authority to investigate and enforce penalties for violations of the COVID-19 Health Order, including the provision of fines and warrants. I’m waiting. Enter the premises. In some limited cases, officers may enter the premises without a warrant or consent.
Authorities can also impose mandatory quarantine, movement restrictions, collection restrictions, social distances, and sharing of sensitive information for contact tracking.
Queensland Prime Minister Anastasia Parasek says a minority of unvaccinated people infect older people with the virus, despite public protests and consistent evidence that the vaccine does not prevent infection. He said he was worried that he might be.
“I don’t think anyone wants to see these vaccinations required,” Parasek said. “But in reality, we still need to raise that vaccination rate and protect the community … I don’t know what’s around the corner.”
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Jessie Zhang is a Sydney-based reporter with Australian news and a focus on health and the environment. Contact her at [email protected]