Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Port Power]

What is unusual is all this effort to find asymptomatic cases which we need not worry about. If you are asymptomatic or have a sniffle it is not like you are sitting on a health time bomb.

Why don't we need to be concerned about asymptomatic cases? These are the people who unwittingly might spread the disease to those more at risk, such as when visiting grandma. There is no problem if everyone they are close to are vaccinated, but that may not be the case. (And no, I am not referring to the voluntarily unvaccinated.) Omicron is already spreading stealthily, but people who are asymptomatic should still test if they were at suspect premises or gatherings, for the safety of those at risk.

But if asymptomatic and they have not been to places on the contact list, why should the population have a PCR test? Testing healthy, non-contacts is a waste of time and money. You may as well test the entire population!

 

[oz_mark]

Well, if that is the case, then it’s a non-event - despite the hysterical fear-mongering and onerous isolation if deemed a contact.

Oh come now. Listen to daddy, and he will save you

 

[jakeseven7]

If we keep up this arithmetic increase of about 15/day, it will take about 40 years to infect 10% of the WA population.

On that basis, we might be able to declare it endemic some time in the 23rd century.

It’s thought with omicron because we are so highly vaccinated and it’s mostly so mild, 90% of cases are going undetected so…

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

It’s thought with omicron because we are so highly vaccinated and it’s mostly so mild, 90% of cases are going undetected so…

Source?

 

[andye]

NSW reported cases finally down to 4 figures
Falling hospitalisations too which reflects my local experience. Think they will come down quite quickly now
Only 4 days in but no sign of schools opening being catastrophic so far

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I think the main thing we need now is for the Federal Gov to complete the Booster Program in Aged Care and the Disability Sector. They have been way too slow yet again in this, just as they were with first/second doses.

While one can speculate whether people may, or may not, have died with or from Covid in these cohorts there will be many such people who as a minimum will have died earlier than they needed to have. Plus dying with Covid will often mean dying in a manner where relatives cannot be there as they normally would be.




Though the more of the population overall that get boosted, the lower all various hospitalisation measures will eventually become.

 

[Pushka]

I think the main thing we need now is for the Federal Gov to complete the Booster Program in Aged Care and the Disability Sector. They have been way too slow yet again in this, just as they were with first/second doses.

While one can speculate whether people may, or may not, have died with or from Covid in these cohorts there will be many such people who as a minimum will have died earlier than they needed to have. Plus dying with Covid will often mean dying in a manner where relatives cannot be there as they normally would be.




Though the more of the population overall that get boosted, the lower all various hospitalisation measures will eventually become.

I think you mentioned upthread you developed Covid? If so, are you feeling better now. If not, my apologies.

 

[Lynda2475]

But if asymptomatic and they have not been to places on the contact list, why should the population have a PCR test? Testing healthy, non-contacts is a waste of time and money. You may as well test the entire population!

You quote me out of context and then go on to post the above which echoes the point i was actually making.

At no point did i say close contacts (which btw is only household members everywhere except WA these days,) shouldnt test and anyone concerned for other reasons can RAT away til theirhearts desire.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

from ABC blog

'It's not a time to get complacent'​

The New South Wales Education Minister says schools have been able to manage COVID-related staff vacancies at a local level.

617 staff from 438 state schools tested positive to COVID in the first week of school, with 2,417 students returning a positive rapid antigen test.

Sarah Mitchell says schools have not had to draw on departmental staff or final year teaching students to fill the gaps.

Vic numbers for first school week from ABC blog

More school kids predictably testing positive in Victoria​

More than 2,900 students and more than 400 teachers tested positive to COVID-19 in Victorian schools' first week of term.

"We're seeing an increase in school-aged people [testing positive]," Ms Matson said.
"This isn't unexpected."

Many of those infections were detected through the "strong recommendation" that teachers and students use a rapid test twice-weekly in mainstream schools and every day in specialist education settings.

There are about 1.1 million Victorian students currently in schools.

No schools have been closed, despite the infection spike, with contact tracing aimed at keeping classrooms open.

 

[Pushka]

Vic numbers for first school week from ABC blog

More school kids predictably testing positive in Victoria​

More than 2,900 students and more than 400 teachers tested positive to COVID-19 in Victorian schools' first week of term.


Many of those infections were detected through the "strong recommendation" that teachers and students use a rapid test twice-weekly in mainstream schools and every day in specialist education settings.

There are about 1.1 million Victorian students currently in schools.

No schools have been closed, despite the infection spike, with contact tracing aimed at keeping classrooms open.

SA experienced hundreds of positives within a day of 'recommencement' last week - except few students are back so likely the remnants of their holidays. The Unions tried to make it about kids returning to schools but the Minister pointed out the timing issues.

 

[oz_mark]

WA: 25 local cases, 21 linked.
1 travel related.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

SA experienced hundreds of positives within a day of 'recommencement' last week - except few students are back so likely the remnants of their holidays. The Unions tried to make it about kids returning to schools but the Minister pointed out the timing issues.

Considering non-mandatory surveillance testing of staff and students in SA, a bump of +457 on 2/2, and +317 on 3/2 and +97 on 4/2 when compared to 1266 on 1/2 is not too bad.

If the figure is +800s, it’s a tad high compared with NSW and Vic. Did SA Government give an actual figure?

Of course the bump might be larger if one thinks the overall trend is down. Being week 1, most infections would be from school holiday activities.

 

[Pushka]

Considering non-mandatory surveillance testing of staff and students in SA, a bump of +457 on 2/2, and +317 on 3/2 and +97 on 4/2 when compared to 1266 on 1/2 is not too bad.

If the figure is +800s, it’s a tad high compared with NSW and Vic. Did SA Government give an actual figure?

Of course the bump might be larger if one thinks the overall trend is down. Being week 1, most infections would be from school holiday activities.

Three hundred teachers and support staff have been sidelined, but the detail elaborated on by the Govt (not the Union) is that many were close contacts not positive themselves. I haven't seen an actual number of students. So yes, school holiday activities. The Union wants to kick students out of class who won't wear masks.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Just another milestone: NSW PCR active back below 100k - today 94,799 (high was 342,838 on 16/1 according to covid live)

 

[Lynda2475]

There is no doubt NSW (and the whole east coast) is past the current Omicron peak, even with all the extra symptomatic school (staff & student) testing cases and hospitalisations have continued to fall.

Vaccination rate for 12-15s continues for the 3rd month to be stubbornly stuck at 78%.

The ultimate proof is fact that Coles had Toilet paper today for first time in 5 weeks!

 

[blackcat20]

Vic numbers for first school week from ABC blog

More school kids predictably testing positive in Victoria​

More than 2,900 students and more than 400 teachers tested positive to COVID-19 in Victorian schools' first week of term.


Many of those infections were detected through the "strong recommendation" that teachers and students use a rapid test twice-weekly in mainstream schools and every day in specialist education settings.

There are about 1.1 million Victorian students currently in schools.

No schools have been closed, despite the infection spike, with contact tracing aimed at keeping classrooms open.

NSW school numbers are pretty similar.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I think you mentioned upthread you developed Covid? If so, are you feeling better now. If not, my apologies.

No not I.

Prior to Christmas I knew no one who had Covid.

Now everyone I know knows someone, or rather many people, who have had or has Covid.

I also now know many people who had Covid.

My SIL had it......she said it made her talk like Selma from the Simpsons for a couple of days. She said it was like a bad flu. Her partner was like mild flu.

Her brother 200km had Covid and symptoms included diahorea. He was quite sick.

Niece in her 30s had it.....like a bad flu that really knocked her around for 3 weeks. Still feels tired. Husband mild symptoms. 2 daughters under 10 very mild symptoms. 3 year old son had a fever of 39.7.

My mother had it recently. In her late 80's and no symptoms.

30 year eldest daughter 2 very bad days of burning lungs and sore through and could hardly talk. After that said it reduced to like a bad flu. Very tired for 3 weeks. Her partner mid symptoms.

Many of 25 year old daughter's friend that I know have had it. Either mild or no symptoms.


20 year great nephew at Paradise Point in Qld who caught it at Airlie Beach had mild symptoms.

Etc.


PS. All that I know of who had Covid are double or triple vaxxed with the exception of the young children who all have had no vaccinations.

 

[Pushka]

No not I.

Prior to Christmas I knew no one who had Covid.

Now everyone I know knows someone, or rather many people, who have had or has Covid.

I also now know many people who had Covid.

My SIL had it......she said it made her talk like Selma from the Simpsons for a couple of days. She said it was like a bad flu. Her partner was like mild flu.

Her brother 200km had Covid and symptoms included diahorea. He was quite sick.

Niece in her 30s had it.....like a bad flu that really knocked her around for 3 weeks. Still feels tired. Husband mild symptoms. 2 daughters under 10 very mild symptoms. 3 year old son had a fever of 39.7.

My mother had it recently. In her late 80's and no symptoms.

30 year eldest daughter 2 very bad days of burning lungs and sore through and could hardly talk. After that said it reduced to like a bad flu. Very tired for 3 weeks. Her partner mid symptoms.

Many of 25 year old daughter's friend that I know have had it. Either mild or no symptoms.


20 year great nephew at Paradise Point in Qld who caught it at Airlie Beach had mild symptoms.

Etc.

Good to hear. An interesting study right there. Before Christmas we knew one person, now, multiple close people and family. I suspect most of us have had it but not had symptoms.

 

[kpc]

I know multiple people who have had Covid incl my daughter who had Covid just before Xmas forcing all of us into isolation and cancelling all Xmas plans. My uncle in Adelade just came out of ICU! My work is full of Covid! ps work in a hospital

 

[Scarlett]

First hand account for early and late Jan:
- Mrs Scarlett. Didn’t suspect, just felt a ‘bit off’ when tested positive due travel. Result came as a surprise. The positive came three weeks post booster. She had a couple of days of mild cold symptoms then good to go. Tested positive with pcrs up to day 17 then finally negative. Self (dbl vax) and son (nil vax) staying in same apartment and doing token isolation didn’t catch it.

About two weeks later:

- Me. After a week of work involving lots of mixing with people felt hot one evening and then poor sleep. Felt like a fever. Got tested next morning: positive. Fever for three days including night sweats and hot/cold flushes. Most symptoms gone after seven days, just a cough and throat that still doesn’t feel back to normal. Still positive on day 8 test. Son isolating in different parts of same house hasn’t caught it.

I had swine flu in 2009 or 10 whilst in the uk and that felt much worse than this has.
On the Scarlett proprietary cold and flu ‘discomfort o meter’ I’d rank them thus out of 10:

Normal cold: 3
Normal flu: 5 (man flu, you understand!)
After second Pfizer jab: 6 (for about 30 hours)
Covid: 4
Swine flu: 8 (for three days)

The only other things I can use as a comparison would be the week after ‘The Snip’ where the midriff-localised discomfort was about a 3, or after having had my wisdom teeth out which was about a 6. (mind you I did have all four wisdom teeth taken out on a Thursday evening and then proceeded to play cricket that Sunday … it was fine (I was an opening bowler) until I let go a normal screamed appeal for lbw or caught behind or whatever it was, in my follow through… might have busted some of the stitches open at that point )