New methods of scammers include social media posts to lure the public with attractive offers and fake services
Australian authorities on Monday warned the slow rollout of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots could unleash a new wave of infections amid the threat from the highly contagious BA.2 sub-variant of the Omicron coronavirus strain.
Australia battled record cases and hospitalisation rates during the initial Omicron wave, but they have steadied over the past six weeks. Most states have been easing social distancing rules, with mask requirements being rolled back at indoor venues and businesses asking staff to return to offices.
But daily infections could likely double in the next four to six weeks as the new sub-variant looks set to become the dominant strain, New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard told broadcaster ABC on Monday, leaving “more people in hospital and more people possibly to pass away sadly.”
Around 20,000 new cases were reported in Australia by midday on Monday with two states due to report later, while four deaths were registered. More than 3.1 million cases and 5,590 deaths have been recorded since the pandemic began.
According to official data, just over 57 per cent of people above the age of 16 have received a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in New South Wales, home to a third of Australia’s 25 million people, trailing the national average of 65 per cent. Around 95 per cent have received two doses.
“There is a degree of confusion,” Hazzard said, admitting there was “a big problem” with people coming forward to get their boosters. More than two million people in the state - with a total population of eight million - are currently eligible for their booster dose but have still to get the shot.
The World Health Organization, based on initial data, said last month that the BA.2 variant appears to be more transmissible than the original BA.1 sub-variant.
ALSO READ:
Health experts and epidemiologists have asked authorities to consider reintroducing some restrictions, including making masks mandatory in supermarkets and other indoor venues.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison over the weekend said the nation’s political leaders want to move to a new phase of living with Covid-19 as though it were the common flu.
New methods of scammers include social media posts to lure the public with attractive offers and fake services
Shashi Tharoor's World of Words is a weekly column dissecting English language
The event is open to an extended age group from 13 to 70 with individual and group categories
During his short playing career Raman amassed over 15,000 Test and county runs and took 87 wickets
US rates have 'strong and immediate' impact on Asia FX - IMF
The right-arm fast-bowler has played 90 T20s and picked up 101 T20 wickets in his career
Green Giant project is set to deliver 500 MW of solar power
The Morocco striker scored all of his goals in the first half as Al Ain ended Al Hilal's world-record breaking run at 34 wins