New South Wales (NSW) residents have been warned to “stay COVID-safe” and wear a mask if they have cold or flu symptoms.
The state’s health department claimed COVID-19 transmission in the fortnight ending Jan. 6 is higher than last year’s “winter peak.”
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant told residents to wear a mask if experiencing symptoms.
“If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, please stay at home,” Dr. Chant said.
“Don’t visit high-risk settings like hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, or people who are at higher risk of severe illness until your symptoms resolve.
Omicron COVID-19 Variant JN.1 Spiking in Community: NSW Health
Dr. Chant claimed omicron variants EG.5 and JN.1 are responsible for most of the transmission in the community and variant JN.1 is “increasing in prevalence.”
“While there is no evidence to suggest these variants cause more severe disease the overall increase in case numbers puts more people, especially vulnerable people, at risk from COVID-19,” Dr. Chant said.
One Nation Member of the Legislative Council Mark Latham claimed most people are “now ignoring” the latest “hype” on COVID-19.
Victoria Issues Similar Warning
The advice in New South Wales comes after the Victorian Department of Health warned COVID-19 infections were on the rise on Jan. 8.In an alert, Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr. Clare Looker claimed community transmission of COVID-19 is rising in Victoria.
“This increase in community transmission is linked to a new variant, JN.1 which is causing similar impacts internationally,” the advice stated.
The key messages included “wear a mask, get vaccinated, let fresh air in, get tested, stay at home if you have COVID-19, and take antivirals if eligible.
“A high-quality and well-fitted mask can protect you and others from the virus,” the advice said.
“Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine. There are new monovalent vaccines available that are highly effective at preventing severe disease. You should get a booster if you are over 75 and haven’t had one for 6 months
Mask Mandate in Spain
Meanwhile, a mask mandate has been introduced at all health facilities in Spain to protect “vulnerable people.”Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia described the measure as a “common sense rule” supported by “scientific evidence.”
“I don’t think it is any drama. It is a basic and simple measure of the first order,” she said.
In the United States, multiple hospitals and county health departments have reintroduced mask mandates due to a “rise” in COVID-19 and influenza.
A similar mandate has also been recently introduced in New York City, with 11 hospitals bringing back a mask mandate.
“What we don’t want is staffing shortages, right?” New York City’s health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said on WABC TV.
J1N.1 Variant Rises in the United States
In the United States, the JN.1 variant is now also the most widely circulating COVID-19 variant, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Jan. 5.The variant is responsible for between 55 and 68 percent of variants of the virus circulating in the community, the CDC said.
As of the end of December, 19 percent of adults and 8 percent of children have taken an updated COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.
“Only 38 percent of adults age 65 years and older report having received this vaccine, which is concerning given that they are at higher risk of hospitalization from COVID-19,” the CDC claimed.
