ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has stressed the need for rapid antigen testing across Australia as ACT testing rates have dropped. As more people become fully vaccinated, the likelihood of cases being asymptomatic increases. By using quick tests to screen people, there is hope we can weed some of these asymptomatic cases out.
New modelling from the University of Melbourne suggests that even with 80% of the adult population vaccinated, we may still need to endure long lockdowns. They estimate that people will need to be in lockdown 58% of the year to keep deaths below 1000 a year and infections below 320 a day.
Queensland and WA have both flagged that they may not reopen to the rest of Australia until a 90% vaccination rate is reached. Both states have refused to sign up to the National Cabinet deal of reopening at 80% fully vaccinated, and have not released roadmaps for how they will transition out of the pandemic.
We all have different sleeping preferences and night time routines – however a study has revealed that our sleeping habits could have a serious impact on our health. Research has found that the way you sleep could significantly impact your risk of having a stroke.
Both NSW and Victoria are pursuing high vaccination rates so that the states can reopen and learn to live with COVID-19. Restrictions will ease significantly for vaccinated people once 70% double-dose targets are hit – but this will look quite different between the two states.
Feeling anxious or stressed when you’re trying to fall asleep is a common struggle for many. People can feel anxious for a number of different reasons, however two psychologists have shared their five simple steps to help anyone struggling:
NSW could relax isolation rules soon for close contacts as we work towards living with the virus. Close contacts of people with COVID-19 could avoid the 14 day self-isolation period if they are fully vaccinated and test negative. There is hope that this could stop huge staff shortages in hospitals and other essential workplaces.
NSW is trialling a home quarantine system with some of the Paralympic athletes returning home from Japan. Currently, 17 Paralympians are quarantining at home for 14 days with exemptions from the NSW government. All Paralympians who competed were fully vaccinated before heading to Tokyo, and will continue to undergo standard COVID-19 testing whilst in home quarantine.
A new pandemic advisory group, OzSAGE, has warned that additional measures are needed before restrictions are lifted. Without these, OzSAGE says COVID-19 cases will surge dramatically. NSW is currently set to ease restrictions once 70% of the adult population are vaccinated – which only comprises around 56% of the total population.
