The Numbers That Reveal NSW's Outbreak Will Be Getting Worse

NSW is breaking daily COVID-19 case records nearly every day, with 681 cases recorded today. However, the other numbers revealed might be more concerning. One such case is the current reproduction number of the virus (R factor). Right now, it is at 1.3 – meaning each COVID positive person infects 1.3 other people on average. We need that number to be below 1 to see cases stabilise and drop. Right now, that 1.3 R factor means we should expect numbers to get worse.

The other numbers we should be concerned with is the number of cases under investigation, tests, and those infectious while in the community. At the moment, only around 25% of new cases are immediately being linked to previous cases, delaying us from seeing how the virus is spreading. Our testing rates have dropped, possibly due to strain on the testing labs. Lastly, the isolation status of most cases remains unknown, so we don’t know if they have been out possibly spreading the virus.

This information – or lack thereof – tells a story. We need to brace ourselves for a worsening outbreak.

Sove CPAP Clinic is a leading Australian provider of Respiratory, Sleep Disorders, Cardiology and PPE services and products. Based in Sydney, it has a network of 40 clinics nationwide.