Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[kpc]

Just heard on news...643 cases in WA....the exponential curve upwards has well and truly commenced

 

[Pushka]

It seems that with an election in a month's time that SA has done away with a daily Covid press conference unless it's a (rare now) announcement about reduced restrictions happening. All that happens now is an (insert your favourite social media platform) announcement later in the afternoon. Drives many insane on FB as it's always later in the day and delivered without much fanfare.

 

[jase05]

It seems that with an election in a month's time that SA has done away with a daily Covid press conference unless it's a (rare now) announcement about reduced restrictions happening. All that happens now is an (insert your favourite social media platform) announcement later in the afternoon. Drives many insane on FB as it's always later in the day and delivered without much fanfare.

Yes it’s great not to hear about it every 5 minutes.
Restrictions easing to be announced tomorrow

 

[oz_mark]

Just heard on news...643 cases in WA....the exponential curve upwards has well and truly commenced

The modelling is 1700 by March 2. Which is why the CHO wrote that the borders are becoming meaningless:

it is now clear that the opening of the State border to quarantine free travel for vaccinated domestic and international travellers will not add significantly to the case numbers.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

The modelling is 1700 by March 2. Which is why the CHO wrote that the borders are becoming meaningless:

Given today’s number it’s a strong chance 1700 will be passed as a daily number in the next 3 days.

 

[RooFlyer]

Quite a jump in cases the past 2 days in Tas. From a steady 4-500 ish, to +800, with increased hospitalisations too. Probably linked to going back to school - Tas schools went back 1-2 weeks after the mainland.

 

[oz_mark]

WA Health is reporting a total of 645 new cases to 8pm last night. Of these, 643 are local cases, and 2 travel related.

Today’s figures bring the State’s total number of active COVID-19 cases to 1787.

Today’s cases include 174 self-reported positive RATs.

Total current hospitalisations 5; there is no case in ICU*

WA has recorded 4452 cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

To date, 2,655 people have recovered from the virus.

 

[Pushka]

35% of SA infections reported are in the under 18 age group.

 

[Must...Fly!]

35% of SA infections reported are in the under 18 age group.

I presume testing is "mandatory" for school kids? Makes you wonder how many of these infections we would know about if we weren't doing surveillance testing on students.

 

[oz_mark]

35% of SA infections reported are in the under 18 age group.

WA is similar. Two days ago about 14% of cases were 0-9, and about 25% of cases were 10-19.

 

[Pushka]

I presume testing is "mandatory" for school kids? Makes you wonder how many of these infections we would know about if we weren't doing surveillance testing on students.

I don’t think they are mandatory in SA. Happy to be corrected as I don’t have school age immediate family. Only tested if deemed a class contact. In which case then likely to be much higher asymptomatic cases.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Quite a jump in cases the past 2 days in Tas. From a steady 4-500 ish, to +800, with increased hospitalisations too. Probably linked to going back to school - Tas schools went back 1-2 weeks after the mainland.

Is there a gvt-sponsored RAT surveillance program over schools like NSW/VIc, or no surveillance like Qld/SA?

 

[RooFlyer]

Is there a gvt-sponsored RAT surveillance program over schools like NSW/VIc, or no surveillance like Qld/SA?

No surveillance program. I think students & staff were given 2 RATS at the start of term, to be used when symptomatic. i think replaced when used.

 

[dairyfloss]

Is there a gvt-sponsored RAT surveillance program over schools like NSW/VIc, or no surveillance like Qld/SA?

NSW 2 x weekly surveillance testing also comes to an end from this week (our boy was very happy to have done his last 'tickle test', this morning)... students will bring home 8 RAT kits each from the schools as a final allocation to use for symptomatic or peace of mind testing, after close contact, etc.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

NSW 2 x weekly surveillance testing also comes to an end from this week (our boy was very happy to have done his last 'tickle test', this morning)... students will bring home 8 RAT kits each from the schools as a final allocation to use for symptomatic or peace of mind testing, after close contact, etc.

Yes. I recall NSW and Vic reporting 600-800RAT+ Of this cohort in the first week but of course some of those would be frominfections acquired during school holidays. Haven’t notice much figures for weeks 2-4.

 

[OATEK]

Quite a jump in cases the past 2 days in Tas. From a steady 4-500 ish, to +800, with increased hospitalisations too. Probably linked to going back to school - Tas schools went back 1-2 weeks after the mainland.

I think there is a key factor at play around return to school that has not been discussed, and that is the background case numbers. In NSW we had quite widespread infection for Delta and Omicron, where Tas was well isolated. I can't help but wonder if Tas will have an uptick from the lack of immunity by previous infection on return to school and opening up generally, compared to NSW? Anyone looked at this?

 

[OrangeRoughie]

I don’t think they are mandatory in SA. Happy to be corrected as I don’t have school age immediate family. Only tested if deemed a class contact. In which case then likely to be much higher asymptomatic cases.

They actually don't even have to be tested as a class contact. Monitor symptoms for 14 days and no extra-curricular school activities for 7 days. Well that's at least what was in the letter we received for our son.

 

[Pushka]

They actually don't even have to be tested as a class contact. Monitor symptoms for 14 days and no extra-curricular school activities for 7 days. Well that's at least what was in the letter we received for our son.

Heavens. That surprises me. And a good thing. Clearly they just aren't concerned about health issues with youngsters. So likely our infection rate is extremely understated. Hospital rates and ICU staying stable.

 

[jakeseven7]

Probably time to get rid of the free RATs at schools now too. I thought I heard NSW were phasing them out.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Probably time to get rid of the free RATs at schools now too. I thought I heard NSW were phasing them out.

Yes from what dairyfloss said above it seems NSW have given 8 more as the final allocation to use how the parents see fit.