The Albanese government has introduced a spate of new measures to help Australia tackle future waves of Covid-19, after Health Minister Mark Butler warned the nation the pandemic “is not over”.
Australians who have grown complacent are being urged to remain vigilant against the virus amid experts predicting an increase in coronavirus infections this year.
From January this year to now, the national rolling seven day average has plateaued to the 2500 to 3000 cases a day mark, while the daily number of deaths has declined from 55 at its peak to three.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout has reached a “significant milestone” with over one million residents receiving their 2023 booster dose.
However, Mr Butler has warned case numbers could climb in the coming months as the nation prepares to enter the cooler season.
“This is not over,” Mr Butler said while addressing the media in Canberra on Thursday.
“There will be future waves of Covid across the course of this year.”
Mr Butler’s comments come after Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly found Australia’s fourth wave of the Omicron variant exceeded the length of previous waves.
“I don’t have a crystal ball,” he said
“But in terms of future Covid waves … I think we’ve got a ripple at the moment. Whether that will turn into a wave for the reasons I mentioned, and mentioned in my report, it’s difficult to predict at this stage.”
He added case numbers have increased in the last few weeks “but off a very low base” and that the latest Omicron wave came with less severe illness than last year’s winter wave.
To ensure Australians are ready to combat future increases in infections, Mr Butler announced 160,000 additional people would meet the criteria to be prescribed antiviral drug Paxlovid under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Previously, patients who had two risk factors of severe illness were only eligible for the treatment, however that will be reduced to just one risk factor for patients aged between 60 to 69 from Saturday.
Mr Butler encouraged Australians who feel they may need the treatment, to hold an early discussion with their GP or nurse to assess whether it will suit their needs and to develop a plan so they can be equipped in the case they develop a positive test.
“We know how effective Paxlovid and Molnupiravir – two oral antivirals – are in preventing severe disease and hospitalisation and death,” Mr Butler said.
“This will make a real difference to the experience of many tens of thousands of people aged in their 60s and take real pressure off the hospital system as well.”
Aged Care workers who become infected with the virus will also receive new entitlements from April 1 in line with Mr Butler’s latest announcement.
Both casual and permanent staff working in the sector will be eligible for “Aged Care Worker Covid-19 leave grants” of up to $750 directly from their employer when they’re required to take leave related to the virus.
However, they’ll only meet the criteria for the grant if no other leave entitlements are available to them.
The new grant follows the High Risk Settings Pandemic Payment scheme which ends on Saturday, March 31.
Finally, Mr Butler urged all Australians to be up-to-date with their booster shots.
“If it has been six months since your last Covid vaccine or infection, you can now top up your protection with the latest vaccine,” he said.
Covid-19 boosters are free for all eligible Australians and are available at most doctor clinics.
A full eligibility criteria can be found on the government’s coronavirus website.