Covid-19: ’Tis the season to be wary
CAIRNS is facing a potential disruption to holiday season plans as the fourth wave of Covid-19 spreads through the community.
The peak of this new wave of a mix of variants colloquially called a “variant soup” is expected before Christmas.
In Cairns, as of Monday morning 24 patients were being treated in Cairns Hospital for Covid-19, up from just six on November 11, a Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokesperson has confirmed.
Last week Cairns Hospital
shifted its pandemic response from green to amber signifying stress on the hospital system and bed numbers.
“No elective surgery has been rescheduled as a result of the current COVID-19 wave, however we are monitoring impact on our services daily,” the spokeperson said.
“Visitors to all of our hospitals and healthcare facilities are strongly encouraged to wear face masks at all times, to prevent risk of Covid-19 infection to our vulnerable patients and staff.”
Speaking to members of the public there was a sense of awareness of the virus but
certainly no panic.
Sylvia Winger from Brinsmead has had a third dose of the vaccine but was wary about the need for a fourth dose to boost her immunity.
“I am trying to treat it like the flu, it’s only in the back of my mind. I’m not convinced by the need for a fourth dose,” Ms Winger said.
“I’ve gotten Covid and it hit me pretty hard, even though I had the third dose.”
Gordonvale resident, Wanda Weatherall is still mindful of how she interacts with the community.
“I’m certainly still aware of the risks and am careful in
crowds,” Ms Weatherall said.
“I have had my third dose and would consider getting a fourth if things were to get bad again.”
Bevan Feon Sanden from Kewarra Beach said he thought the attitudes of the community had shifted to regarding Covid as being like the common cold.
“Most people have had it so once I got my second dose to ensure I could work and continue doing things it sort of went to the back of my mind,” Mr Feon Sanden said.
“It’s become less talked about with bigger news such as Russia and Ukraine taking
more attention.”
Pharmacists are seeing a constant awareness still within the community despite the rises and dips in cases.
“We are seeing a slight rise in the number of people coming in for mostly their third or fourth doses,” Pharmacist Kathy Treacy said.
“The number of RATs sold has been consistent with people still testing and we are seeing an increase in the number of people with prescriptions for antivirals so that shows that the most at risk are either knowledgeable of this option or at least the local GP’s.”