“Christmas is time to be aware that the threat of COVID-19 spreading ought not to be taken lightly,” writes columnist MICHAEL MOORE. 

VACCINATION against the most recent variant of COVID-19 has been available in Australia from the beginning of December.

Complacency over COVID-19 has been part of the problem in preventing the spread of the disease. Since May the World Health Organization has downgraded its warnings so that this disease is no longer considered a “public health emergency of international concern”. 

However, in recent weeks there are increasing numbers of people being hospitalised with COVID-19 and increasing numbers who are being treated in intensive care. 

As there is no longer a requirement to report a positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and it is difficult to get a PCR blood test, hospital numbers are amongst the main indicators of an increasing surge of the disease.

The good news is, thanks to vaccination and better treatment, the number of deaths from COVID-19 is at its lowest level since the start of the pandemic.

The last thing we need is for a public health emergency declaration to be made in 2024. Unfortunately, information from the Australian Department of Health indicates an increasing spread of the latest variant of COVID-19. 

The statistics include the impact on hospitalisation and cases in aged-care homes. They also include numbers of deaths and prescriptions for treatment of COVID-19.

We now know that the current impact of COVID-19 is similar to this time in 2022, just before a significant rise in the number of cases over the holiday period.

Some will argue that COVID-19 is only a problem for older people. This is based on the knowledge that most people who are hospitalised are elderly. Unfortunately, ageism is alive and well, unlike those sick people who have caught the latest variant of the disease.

Complacency in the population has resulted in discarding masks and social distancing. Awareness of the importance of not going into the work environment when feeling sick is also waning. The idea of “soldiering on” means an increase in colleagues also becoming ill.

Anecdotally, I do note that more men are washing their hands when using public toilets than was the case before 2020 when the pandemic was treated as a public health emergency.

Christmas is time to be aware that the threat of COVID-19 spreading ought not to be taken lightly. There is no need for harsh measures such as compulsory wearing of masks in public, or lockdowns as experienced in 2020-21. However, sensible precautions are worthwhile.

The Australian government has announced the availability of the latest immunisations from the beginning of December with a choice of vaccines made by Pfizer or Moderna. The availability of vaccines and the high level of vaccination are key reasons that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency. We need to keep it that way.

Part of the good news is that this vaccination is available from pharmacies. This is usually cheaper and more efficient than having to go to the GP – although that alternative is available. 

Just as it is normal to have a flu jab annually, it is important to keep up a regular jab against new variants of COVID-19. The number of people having a booster jab did drop off through the middle of this year – but is once again on the increase.

Keeping a RAT test handy does help to understand the likelihood of being infected. Associate Professor Hassan Vally provided the answer to four questions about RAT tests that was published in “CityNews” recently. His article provides a good understanding of the use of these tests. 

Most importantly, a positive RAT test places the responsibility on a person to prevent spreading the disease further. Staying at home, wearing a mask, practicing good hygiene and maintaining social distancing are all part of that responsibility. A person with a positive test should also seek appropriate antiviral treatment.

The Australian Department of Health provides advice on how to rapidly access antiviral treatment. This advice includes women who are pregnant and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions and older people. Where appropriate, antiviral treatment ought to be started within five days of contracting COVID-19. The earlier the treatment the better.

With the holiday season approaching, a little bit of care can mean a much merrier Christmas for everyone.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.