Latest COVID-19 wave brings back mask mandates and vaccination calls

As COVID-19 returns to the headlines ahead of the holiday season, important decisions surrounding vaccinations and masks are being made to reduce its impact. This is your snapshot of the latest news and information for aged care settings.  

The eighth wave is here

It’s been over two-and-a-half years since Australia’s first COVID-19 wave swept across the nation in March 2020. Now, we’re effectively at what experts call the eighth wave, albeit another one that is an Omicron variant bubbling under the surface.

Recent waves during the post-pandemic era (no restrictions or mandates) have had far less impact. But in a recurring theme, it’s the lead-up to Christmas that once again has more people testing positive for COVID-19 as they converge in public places to shop, socialise and celebrate the end of the year. 

The good news is experts believe this will be the smallest Omicron wave so far with the peak to occur in the early summer holidays as school and work contacts are reduced. Aged care, however, has always been at a higher risk due to the oft-confined living conditions: 

• The latest Government data shows 48 new deaths and 2,050 combined new resident and staff cases reported since November 9
• There have now been 6,000 deaths in residential aged care settings due to COVID-19, or where COVID-19 was a contributing factor
• Over 300 facilities are experiencing outbreaks with New South Wales (92) and Victoria (106) facing the highest number of cases

New vaccines available from December

One of the major concerns surrounding the potency of the latest COVID-19 wave is the vaccination rate. November data reveals only one-fifth of Australians aged 65-74, just over one-third of people aged 75-plus and 39% of aged care residents had received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past six months.

All of these numbers are down on the previous fortnight’s data, despite an overall increase in vaccine doses administered. 

In a bid to curb the spread of the newest Omicron subvariants – EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (Pirola) – and promote more booster uptake, two new vaccines have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia: 

• Both new Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are monovalent, meaning they have been designed specifically for the latest evolution of Omicron subvariants
• They will be available from December 11, although some providers may receive doses sooner and can administer them right away
• As per the latest Government recommendations, people aged 65-74 who have not had a booster dose within the last six months can consider an additional dose in consultation with a healthcare professional
• An additional dose is recommended for all adults aged 75 or older if they have not received another dose in the past six months

Speaking to ABC, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, Brendan Crabb, said it’s still worth taking COVID-19 seriously to reduce its impact.

“If we don’t have a deliberate effort as a world to reduce the amount of transmission, it’s hard to see an end to this continual problem. It would be fantastic if the [new] vaccine was in people’s arms before they encounter the virus,” he said.

Mask mandates return in high-risk settings

With COVID-19 threatening to impact vulnerable members of the community, some States have been quick to act. South Australian and Victorian hospitals have already reintroduced mask mandates for staff and visitors (this may differ from facility to facility), while Western Australia will follow suit from next week. 

Elsewhere, health facilities in the Australian Capital Territory are monitoring whether mask requirements should return, while the other States and Territories are yet to enforce any rules.

WA and NSW are also advising aged care facilities to promote mask-wearing by visitors with staff encouraged to wear masks if there are moderate or high levels of respiratory viruses circulating the community. Providers are being urged to prepare for an outbreak if they haven’t already, with the Government asking providers to make sure your:

• Outbreak management plan is up-to-date 
• Staff and visitor screening and access is in place 
• Staff know infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures, including mask wearing
• Resident and staff vaccinations are up-to-date
• Residents can access antivirals quickly if needed

Providers wanting more information on COVID-19 can visit the Government’s website or check with their relevant State or Territory health department for the latest advice.