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Melbourne’s current COVID-19 outbreak has now grown to 9 cases, with key infection links still missing. One case attended the MCG AFL game on Sunday, with 23,000 other fans now on high alert. A snap lockdown has not been ruled out by acting Victorian Premier James Merlino.

Another lockdown was announced by the Victorian government today to combat the growing cluster of COVID-19 cases. All Victoria will enter a 7-day circuit breaker lockdown at 11:59pm tonight. This comes as over 150 exposure sites around Victoria have been identified, along with 11 new cases overnight. Over 10,000 primary or secondary contacts have been identified.

Victoria is waking up to the first full day of lockdown, as a highly infectious COVID-19 strain continues to spread across the state. Epidemiologists such as Professor Neil Ferguson are concerned that under 21s seem to be more likely to be infected by this strain, B.1.617. Patients with this variant have reported unusual viral symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – a common sleep disorder linked to a range of health problems. Patients with OSA have a higher risk of developing heart problems, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and strokes. Thankfully, research has shown that CPAP treatment helps lower these risks by preventing apneas during sleep.

Do you feel guilty when taking an afternoon snooze? Don’t. Research shows napping can benefit our cognitive function – Here’s how.

Australia’s slow vaccine rollout has been caused by many things – supply issues, changing eligibility, side effects and complacency. In the face of these issues, mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines could help boost vaccination rates and solve many rollout issues.

Public sector aged care workers in Victoria will now have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if performing front-line duties. Any frontline staff who haven’t been vaccinated will be stood down from front-line duties to protect Victoria’s most vulnerable amidst the latest COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, two aged care facilities have recorded cases amongst workers: Arcare Maidstone and BlueCross Western Gardens.

The lockdown in Melbourne has now been extended by 7 days as the Victorian COVID-19 cluster grows to 60 cases. This outbreak is one of the most infectious seen in Australia, with 1 in 10 of the positive cases catching the virus from a stranger. This ‘stranger-to-stranger’ transmission has been seen at grocers, shopping centres, display homes and even a Telstra Store.

As the drive for COVID-19 vaccination continues, many people are wondering how long it takes for the vaccine to work. COVID-19 vaccines don’t offer instant protection – which is why it is important all people get vaccinated sooner rather than later. In fact, clinical trials have shown that your vaccine protection is optimal around 2 weeks after your second dose.

The United States has brought new COVID-19 cases to their lowest levels since March 2020, when the pandemic began. Cases are declining in nearly all states. Over half of American adults are fully vaccinated now, with almost all new cases amongst unvaccinated people. This is incredible success story shows the power of vaccines in controlling COVID-19, and should encourage Australians to go out and get their jab too.

Many people who experience anxiety also have trouble falling asleep at night, commonly referred to as sleep anxiety. Often, this leads to a sleep disorder known as insomnia, particularly in females.

Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has announced that a pilot program relaxing travel restrictions for vaccinated Australians could be launched in 6-8 weeks. The trial would allow vaccinated Australians to travel overseas and return with relaxed quarantine requirements. For instance, travellers returning from lower risk countries could take a rapid antigen test, a full COVID test, and leave quarantine once receiving negative results. Hopefully, this incentive will encourage more Australians to get vaccinated.