As the holiday season approaches, health experts are sounding the alarm over a concerning surge in health cases.

What started as a manageable situation has quickly become a pressing issue, with hospitals feeling the strain.

What’s really going on behind the scenes, and how are authorities responding to the growing pressure?

A surge in Covid-19 cases has hit Western Australia (WA) just as the holiday period ramps up, urging residents to take extra precautions.

Authorities reported that the updated booster vaccine was made available to all residents, as the state grapples with a new wave of the virus.

WA faces Covid surge as holidays approach. Image source: Pexel/RDNE Stock project

Wastewater analysis and recent case data have painted a concerning picture, with the state’s frontline healthcare workers facing mounting pressure.

Hospitalisation numbers have risen, with the average number of people in hospital now at 75 per day.

WA Health had warned that this wave could peak during the holiday season, heightening fears of a spike in infections as people gather to celebrate Christmas.

The newly available Pfizer JN.1 vaccine has been tailored to target the latest subvariants of the virus, offering a potentially crucial layer of protection for the community.

‘Covid-19 has changed a lot over the past year within Australia and throughout the world,’ said Dr Paul Armstrong. He emphasised that the new vaccine could help provide stronger protection against the Omicron subvariants currently circulating in WA.

‘The new vaccine is expected to provide increased protection against the Omicron subvariants which are now circulating in WA,’ Dr Armstrong explained.

With the holiday season upon us, Dr Armstrong highlighted that those most at risk of severe illness from Covid-19 include older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions.

‘Covid-19 can cause life-threatening complications, particularly among older adults and people with underlying medical conditions,’ he said.

Given the increase in social gatherings over Christmas, there is growing concern about the virus spreading more easily.

To help mitigate risks, Dr Armstrong advised people to stay home if they feel unwell, as well as practice good hygiene and mask-wearing in high-risk indoor spaces.

‘The best way to protect yourself and those around you from Covid-19 is to stay home if you are unwell,’ Dr Armstrong stressed.

WA Health’s new guidelines recommend the booster for adults aged 75 and over who have completed their primary vaccination course and have not had a dose in the last six months.

Adults aged 65-74 and those who are severely immunocompromised are also encouraged to get a booster annually, with the option of an additional dose every six months based on individual health needs.

The department further urged anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home. Even mild symptoms can result in long Covid, a condition that has been shown to persist for months or even years after infection.

Recent studies have highlighted the impact of repeat infections on long Covid, suggesting the virus can linger in the body, particularly in the brain, long after the initial illness.

In a previous story, we explored the potential risks of a new Covid strain that could affect Australians during the upcoming holiday season.

This emerging strain has raised concerns about increased transmission and its impact on public health. Read the full article here.

Key Takeaways

• Covid-19 cases in Western Australia have surged, with an average of 75 people being hospitalised daily.
• Health experts warn that the current wave could peak during the holiday season, raising concerns about increased transmission.
• A new Pfizer booster vaccine has been rolled out to target the latest subvariants of the virus, offering more protection.
• Health authorities are urging anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home, as even mild symptoms can lead to long Covid.

How are you planning to protect yourself and your loved ones during this busy time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[eatmeatandlift]

More scaremongering and gaslighting to sell vaccines. I v ha 2 doses and had side effects, Many people had side effects including heart damage and even death!! The more the sheep keep testing, the more this will continue.

 

[Lisa]

More scaremongering and gaslighting to sell vaccines. I v ha 2 doses and had side effects, Many people had side effects including heart damage and even death!! The more the sheep keep testing, the more this will continue.

Fyi people like you are the scaremongers! I had my vaccines and got covid for the first time earlier this year and was very ill (I have a heart condition) if it hadn't been for thr vaccines I would have died! Side effects were the cause of underlying conditions if you read the reports properly! You are a good reason why they invented contraception!!

 

[BruceC]

Same scaremongering every Christmas since 2020.
Forget about these so called viruses killing off humanity.

Wars and more importantly AI (Artificial intelligence - for those who don’t know) will destroy the human race way before viruses!

Also funny how WA boasted about its handling of the original Covid pandemic but now they are having a surge in cases…

 

[peteloo]

Vitamin C, zinc, Omega-3, turmeric - added into my stomach besides food.
With our st-rest-ful lifestyle, it’s better to be nutritionally independent from drugs and vaccines.

 

[stevefx]

Seriously? With all the Global information coming to light from all corners of the world, you still want to push this 'safe and effective' fairytale. People, it would be best if you got yourself informed by those that really do have your best interest first and foremost, and that IS NOT the government or the so-called health departments nor is it big Pharma. Enough IS Enough!

 

[stevefx]

Fyi people like you are the scaremongers! I had my vaccines and got covid for the first time earlier this year and was very ill (I have a heart condition) if it hadn't been for thr vaccines I would have died! Side effects were the cause of underlying conditions if you read the reports properly! You are a good reason why they invented contraception!!

You would be well versed in doing a little study before foot-in-mouth disease

 

[Greg350]

More scaremongering and gaslighting to sell vaccines. I v ha 2 doses and had side effects, Many people had side effects including heart damage and even death!! The more the sheep keep testing, the more this will continue.

What a load of rubbish. Yes some people had sure effects, some may have died, no different to ANY medication.

1 in 100,000 die when anaesthetised, are you going to not have a heart operation because of that?

Scaremongering, hahahaha, that's exactly what YOU are doing, making out the vaccine is likely to kill you or have severe side effects.

Obviously there will be some problems, when you have 13 Billion doses given, of course there will be issues. I can guarantee you without any vaccine the pandemic would have been far worse, longer, more deadly and you should be thanking us vaccinated people for letting YOU back out into the world. Without us travel would have been held off far longer.

Nothing is perfect in this world, selfish people like you care little for others. I wasn't concerned about myself, I was concerned about others who I contact frequently, many older, frail people, ones who, if infected, could pass very easily. Of course the selfish couldn't give a stuff, just scared of a needle and what it may, in a extremely small percentage of people, do to you.

 

[Greg350]

Seriously? With all the Global information coming to light from all corners of the world, you still want to push this 'safe and effective' fairytale. People, it would be best if you got yourself informed by those that really do have your best interest first and foremost, and that IS NOT the government or the so-called health departments nor is it big Pharma. Enough IS Enough!

You mean all the information pushed out by nutters and anti-vaxes.

 

[Prowsey]

Fyi people like you are the scaremongers! I had my vaccines and got covid for the first time earlier this year and was very ill (I have a heart condition) if it hadn't been for thr vaccines I would have died! Side effects were the cause of underlying conditions if you read the reports properly! You are a good reason why they invented contraception!!

 

[Prowsey]

Yeah you keep telling yourself that. Can’t cure stupid !

 

[Greg350]

Seriously? With all the Global information coming to light from all corners of the world, you still want to push this 'safe and effective' fairytale. People, it would be best if you got yourself informed by those that really do have your best interest first and foremost, and that IS NOT the government or the so-called health departments nor is it big Pharma. Enough IS Enough!

13 Billion doses.
Where are all these dead people?
In my line of work I come across hundreds of people weekly, together with family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances and I have yet to hear of any deaths or severe side effects, just the regular sore arm.

I have two good, close friends, both GPs of over 45 years each, they don't see the deaths, the injuires, why not? Oh you'll say they are paid off, FFS, absolute rubbish.

The world is still going, the population is still increasing world wide, this rubbish that the vaccine is killing all these people is ridiculous. Pushed by anti-vaxes, You Tube presenters and TikTokers, many of which do it for money. They see suckers out there who will lap up this stuff and go for it, and the easily led fall for it.

 

[Colette 3799]

My three grandkids are due to fly from WA to us in Victoria early January for their grandpa’s 70th Birthday. Fingers crossed they avoid the plague lol

 

[Prowsey]

What a load of rubbish. Yes some people had sure effects, some may have died, no different to ANY medication.

1 in 100,000 die when anaesthetised, are you going to not have a heart operation because of that?

Scaremongering, hahahaha, that's exactly what YOU are doing, making out the vaccine is likely to kill you or have severe side effects.

Obviously there will be some problems, when you have 13 Billion doses given, of course there will be issues. I can guarantee you without any vaccine the pandemic would have been far worse, longer, more deadly and you should be thanking us vaccinated people for letting YOU back out into the world. Without us travel would have been held off far longer.

Nothing is perfect in this world, selfish people like you care little for others. I wasn't concerned about myself, I was concerned about others who I contact frequently, many older, frail people, ones who, if infected, could pass very easily. Of course the selfish couldn't give a stuff, just scared of a needle and what it may, in an extremely small percentage of people, do to you. You

 

[Prowsey]

You really are fkn stupid !

 

[stevefx]

What a load of rubbish. Yes some people had sure effects, some may have died, no different to ANY medication.

1 in 100,000 die when anaesthetised, are you going to not have a heart operation because of that?

Scaremongering, hahahaha, that's exactly what YOU are doing, making out the vaccine is likely to kill you or have severe side effects.

Obviously there will be some problems, when you have 13 Billion doses given, of course there will be issues. I can guarantee you without any vaccine the pandemic would have been far worse, longer, more deadly and you should be thanking us vaccinated people for letting YOU back out into the world. Without us travel would have been held off far longer.

Nothing is perfect in this world, selfish people like you care little for others. I wasn't concerned about myself, I was concerned about others who I contact frequently, many older, frail people, ones who, if infected, could pass very easily. Of course the selfish couldn't give a stuff, just scared of a needle and what it may, in a extremely small percentage of people, do to you.

It must be a difficult life when you live in a little bubble. Sometimes, stepping outside and smelling the roses is a fantastic feeling, and you can also learn so so much.

 

[Bridgit]

You mean all the information pushed out by nutters and anti-vaxes.

No by medical experts who are not getting kickback from big Pharma - the court cases are growing and they are in big trouble for DNA modification which will ultimately affect everyone on this planet - vaxxed or not because people who have been vaxxed are shedding at a great rate of knots! Covid and these so called vaccines are bio-weapons and that has now been proven beyond a shadow of doubt and Moderna, Pfizer, Astrazeneca are all in very hot water along with some governments. Biggest crime on humanity perpetrated by those who want to control the world - why it is still going on is the governments are too weak or stupid to get off their arse - not that it really matters now the damage has been done.

 

[MaccaMan]

You mean all the information pushed out by nutters and anti-vaxes.

What a load of rubbish. Yes some people had sure effects, some may have died, no different to ANY medication.

1 in 100,000 die when anaesthetised, are you going to not have a heart operation because of that?

Scaremongering, hahahaha, that's exactly what YOU are doing, making out the vaccine is likely to kill you or have severe side effects.

Obviously there will be some problems, when you have 13 Billion doses given, of course there will be issues. I can guarantee you without any vaccine the pandemic would have been far worse, longer, more deadly and you should be thanking us vaccinated people for letting YOU back out into the world. Without us travel would have been held off far longer.

Nothing is perfect in this world, selfish people like you care little for others. I wasn't concerned about myself, I was concerned about others who I contact frequently, many older, frail people, ones who, if infected, could pass very easily. Of course the selfish couldn't give a stuff, just scared of a needle and what it may, in a extremely small percentage of people, do to you.

In fact, the COVID-19 vaccine is VERY different to any other medication. It has killed more people than any other vaccine in the history of vaccines. I find that uniquely concerning.

People who learn BOTH sides of every story are whom I believe to be truly educated. A one-sided viewpoint is just that. Why are you not keen to know the other side? Are you concerned about what you might find out? My guess is you're watching the ABC, Sunrise and Today. I watched them for years too. Now I also include Fox and Sky. And I've recently been listening to Joe Rogan - another unbiased form of reporting which I have found to be enlightening.

As for 'making out the vaccine is likely to kill you', my very dear colleague's health declined severely with every dose she had (3 in total). She died of a heart attack 2 weeks after her 3rd injection. By then she could no longer feel her feet, had lost her balance, and had utilised more sick leave than any year previous. "I've been sick since the very first dose, and I know it's the vaccine." Her words. Not mine.

One cannot guarantee exactly what would have happened if there was no vaccine for COVID-19. I do know that in India, both Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine healed many people suffering from Covid, see, "COVID Cases in India Plummet After Government Promotes Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine Use."

I find it hard to believe one gets vaccinated due to concerns for others. People totally do it for themselves BELIEVING it would also protect others. But now we know it neither stopped one from contracting nor passing on the virus. So one could argue the vaccine did not work.

As for those who defend the vaccination stating, "If I did not get vaccinated, I would have died!" Well, I'll guess they'll never know as they never went through Covid unvaccinated. My whole family chose to not get the COVID-19 vaccination. We all got Covid for an average of 3 days. Not the worst flu we'd experienced by any means.

Are you on Instagram? If so, I would ask that you take a look at "Jabbed Australia". Not doing so would be to ones detriment/ignorance.

Our bodies. Our choice. If the COVID-19 jab has worked for you, great. I respect your decision. I would also ask that you respect the decision of those who chose otherwise. We need community, not division.

 

[Bridgit]

In fact, the COVID-19 vaccine is VERY different to any other medication. It has killed more people than any other vaccine in the history of vaccines. I find that uniquely concerning.

People who learn BOTH sides of every story are whom I believe to be truly educated. A one-sided viewpoint is just that. Why are you not keen to know the other side? Are you concerned about what you might find out? My guess is you're watching the ABC, Sunrise and Today. I watched them for years too. Now I also include Fox and Sky. And I've recently been listening to Joe Rogan - another unbiased form of reporting which I have found to be enlightening.

As for 'making out the vaccine is likely to kill you', my very dear colleague's health declined severely with every dose she had (3 in total). She died of a heart attack 2 weeks after her 3rd injection. By then she could no longer feel her feet, had lost her balance, and had utilised more sick leave than any year previous. "I've been sick since the very first dose, and I know it's the vaccine." Her words. Not mine.

One cannot guarantee exactly what would have happened if there was no vaccine for COVID-19. I do know that in India, both Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine healed many people suffering from Covid, see, "COVID Cases in India Plummet After Government Promotes Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine Use."

I find it hard to believe one gets vaccinated due to concerns for others. People totally do it for themselves BELIEVING it would also protect others. But now we know it neither stopped one from contracting nor passing on the virus. So one could argue the vaccine did not work.

As for those who defend the vaccination stating, "If I did not get vaccinated, I would have died!" Well, I'll guess they'll never know as they never went through Covid unvaccinated. My whole family chose to not get the COVID-19 vaccination. We all got Covid for an average of 3 days. Not the worst flu we'd experienced by any means.

Are you on Instagram? If so, I would ask that you take a look at "Jabbed Australia". Not doing so would be to ones detriment/ignorance.

Our bodies. Our choice. If the COVID-19 jab has worked for you, great. I respect your decision. I would also ask that you respect the decision of those who chose otherwise. We need community, not division.

Yes my husband and I have never had the shots - we have never had Covid - why - because we make sure our own immune system is healthy.

 

[riskydave]

Must be coming up to Christmas or the government is up to something.