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Doctors Warn Of Covid Reinfections

by | Tue, Jul 12 2022

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COVID-19 reinfections are growing more common across the country as new sub-variants of the virus circulate.

As more people become eligible for a fourth vaccine dose as well as antiviral treatments, Associate Professor Paul Griffin from the University of Queensland says they should not become complacent about the virus.

He warns that those who had recently had the virus could become reinfected in a matter of weeks.

“If you get symptoms again, you need to assume it could be a new infection.”

He said the rise in new COVID infections alongside an increase in influenza cases was also concerning.

“This is translating into significant numbers in hospitals with predictions we may exceed the hospitalisations we saw in the first big wave in January.”

“We cannot assume people are protected just because they’ve had COVID. You need to be up to date with your vaccines and linking with therapies if you are eligible.”

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has recommended the reinfection period be reduced from its current 12 weeks to 28 days, following a surge in cases of the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variant.

People who have previously had COVID-19 will be required to test for the virus after 28 days since their isolation ended if they are experiencing symptoms.

Those who test positive again will be reported and managed as new cases.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant says the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are circulating widely in the state.

“They are more able to evade immunity gained from previous infection and vaccination, so reinfection is more likely and possible just weeks after a prior infection,” she said.

Doctors also say antiviral treatments, which have become more readily available, are not a substitute for being vaccinated.

With Australian Associated Press