Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 03, 2025 9 months, 3 weeks, 1 day, 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
Medical News: Australia is experiencing a concerning uptick in COVID-19 cases, according to recent data shared by analyst Mike Honey on X. From March 8 to May 1, 2025, the national 7-day average of reported cases has increased from 211 to 359, signaling a potential new wave.
https://x.com/Mike_Honey_/status/1918096152731566129
COVID-19 Cases on the Rise in Australia Amid New Variant Concerns
The data, sourced from covidlive.com.au, highlights a steady climb in infections across most states, raising alarms among health experts and the public alike.
https://covidlive.com.au/
In another report by the Australian Government, COVID-19 infections in residential aged care homes are also increasing in the last 7 days.
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-outbreaks-in-australian-residential-aged-care-homes-2-may-2025
Reff Indicates Growing Momentum
This
Medical News report underscores the rising case momentum, with the effective reproduction number (Reff) for Australia hovering between 1.4 and 1.6 in recent weeks. A Reff above 1 indicates that the virus is spreading faster than it is being contained, with each infected person likely infecting more than one other. However, Honey notes that the data quality remains "shoddy," with inconsistent reporting from states like Victoria and Tasmania, which may skew the overall picture.
NB.1.8.1 Variant Suspected as Driver
The surge is potentially linked to the NB.1.8.1 variant, which has gained traction in Asia, including Hong Kong and China. In Australia, this variant is believed to have become dominant by late April, with estimates suggesting it accounted for 15% of cases in Queensland by early April. The variant’s mutations may enhance its transmissibility, though its severity appears comparable to other circulating strains, offering some reassurance to health officials.
Public Health Response and Caution Urged
As cases rise, anecdotal reports of increased illnesses and mask-wearing among doctors at local clinics reflect growing community concern. While the data may not fully capture the true scale of infections due to underreporting, experts are urging renewed caution. Australians are advised to stay vigilant, monitor symptoms, and adhere to public health guidelines to curb the spread of COVID-19.
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-covid-19-wave-hits-taiwan-with-3000-infections-and-7-deaths-in-a-week
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-the-new-sars-cov-2-variant-nb-1-8-1-is-the-most-dangerous-so-far-and-poses-a-major-threat
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
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