Another wave of Covid-19 is approaching. Here's how the number of cases is changing, and who needs a booster shot.
The era of quarantine, mandatory mask-wearing, and daily case updates may seem like a distant memory, but Covid-19 has not left our shores yet.
Over the past reporting period, the number of Covid-19 cases has been increasing in all states and territories, with health authorities stating that this marks the beginning of a new wave of infections.
Here are the latest updates on Covid-19 in Australia and how the government will now report the numbers.
Australia enters the eighth wave of Covid According to the federal Department of Health, the number of Covid-19 cases has been gradually increasing from mid to late August.
National data track cases using a seven-day moving average, calculated by dividing the weekly figures by seven, rather than reporting daily totals.
For the week ending on October 24, a total of 6,550 Covid-19 cases were recorded across Australia, averaging 936 cases per day.
This represents a 23.6 percent increase compared to the previous week.
Below is a snapshot of what's currently happening with the number of Covid-19 cases in Australia.
Federal health data shows that the number of new cases sharply declined at the end of September, then rebounded again, with the count increasing throughout October.
However, when comparing this to the chart below, which shows figures from January 2022, it becomes clear that the number of reported cases is significantly lower than last year.
It's important to note, though, that these charts only represent confirmed Covid-19 cases, which may be much lower than the actual number of cases due to reduced testing requirements.
Covid-19 cases and the seven-day moving average from January 1, 2022, to October 24, 2023. (Provided by the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care)
The number of Covid-related hospitalizations has also begun to rise since late August.
Reduction in national Covid reporting In mid-October, health officials announced that Covid-19 was no longer considered a Communicable Diseases of National Significance (CDINS).
Soon after the federal government decided to end the emergency response to Covid-19 in the country, it was announced that national reporting of Covid-19 would transition from weekly to monthly.
"The revocation of the CDINS declaration will not significantly impact the current management of Covid-19 in Australia, given that the majority of national coordination and response measures have already concluded," said Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly.
The last weekly Covid update was on October 24.
In a statement, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee said that "the availability and reliability of certain indicators, such as case information, have decreased."
Weekly data updates "do not show clear trends," and reducing the reporting frequency will allow for a "more meaningful assessment" of disease transmission and its impact over time.
Some states continue to publish weekly Covid updates:
- Australian Capital Territory
- Northern Territory (every two weeks)
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Western Australia
Covid updates in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria are now published monthly on the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Do I need another Covid-19 vaccine shot? It depends on several factors:
- If you've already received one earlier this year
- Your age
- Whether you have underlying health conditions
- If you have a disability
Recommendations for booster shots are issued by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
In September, ATAGI recommended that all adults aged 75 and over get another vaccine shot if they hadn't received one in the last six months.
It also advised the following groups to discuss with their doctor whether they needed a second shot this year:
- Adults aged 65 to 74
- Adults aged 18 to 64 with severe immunodeficiency
It should be noted that ATAGI did not recommend another booster shot for young people or older adults who have already received a booster shot this year.
Before September, ATAGI issued a booster reminder in February.
At that time, it recommended that all adults aged 65 and older get a booster shot if it had been six months since their last vaccination or infection.
The same advice applied to adults aged 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions that increased their risk of severe Covid-19 or who had significant or complex healthcare needs.
However, ATAGI recommended considering a booster shot only for people in the following groups:
- All adults aged 18-64 without risk factors for severe Covid-19
- Children and adolescents aged 5-17 with underlying conditions that increased their risk of severe Covid-19 or who had significant or complex healthcare needs.