Victoria’s outbreak was rocked by a new discovery last week – that the new ‘Delta’ variant, seen most prominently in India, has emerged in Victoria. It’s unclear how the family diagnosed with this variant contracted it. The Delta variant is of concern because it is significantly more infectious.
Australia’s vaccine rollout has hit a new milestone: 5 million jabs! A record breaking 88,000 Australians were vaccinated on Saturday, with 772,750 vaccinated in the last 6 days. A big thanks to all Australians who are rolling up their sleeves and coming forward to be vaccinated.
Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has announced that a pilot program relaxing travel restrictions for vaccinated Australians could be launched in 6-8 weeks. The trial would allow vaccinated Australians to travel overseas and return with relaxed quarantine requirements. For instance, travellers returning from lower risk countries could take a rapid antigen test, a full COVID test, and leave quarantine once receiving negative results. Hopefully, this incentive will encourage more Australians to get vaccinated.
Many people who experience anxiety also have trouble falling asleep at night, commonly referred to as sleep anxiety. Often, this leads to a sleep disorder known as insomnia, particularly in females.
The United States has brought new COVID-19 cases to their lowest levels since March 2020, when the pandemic began. Cases are declining in nearly all states. Over half of American adults are fully vaccinated now, with almost all new cases amongst unvaccinated people. This is incredible success story shows the power of vaccines in controlling COVID-19, and should encourage Australians to go out and get their jab too.
As the drive for COVID-19 vaccination continues, many people are wondering how long it takes for the vaccine to work. COVID-19 vaccines don’t offer instant protection – which is why it is important all people get vaccinated sooner rather than later. In fact, clinical trials have shown that your vaccine protection is optimal around 2 weeks after your second dose.
The lockdown in Melbourne has now been extended by 7 days as the Victorian COVID-19 cluster grows to 60 cases. This outbreak is one of the most infectious seen in Australia, with 1 in 10 of the positive cases catching the virus from a stranger. This ‘stranger-to-stranger’ transmission has been seen at grocers, shopping centres, display homes and even a Telstra Store.
Public sector aged care workers in Victoria will now have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if performing front-line duties. Any frontline staff who haven’t been vaccinated will be stood down from front-line duties to protect Victoria’s most vulnerable amidst the latest COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, two aged care facilities have recorded cases amongst workers: Arcare Maidstone and BlueCross Western Gardens.
Australia’s slow vaccine rollout has been caused by many things – supply issues, changing eligibility, side effects and complacency. In the face of these issues, mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines could help boost vaccination rates and solve many rollout issues.
