Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,
The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report shows community transmission of COVID-19 increasing across the state and is now at a moderate level. COVID-19 presentations to emergency departments have increased, particularly in children aged 0 to 4 years and in those aged 65 years and older.
There has also been an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities. In response to this, NSW Health is promoting the following public health messages and encourages you to incorporate these as part of your communications to others:
- Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and do a test if you’re at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
- If you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, talk with your doctor now and make a plan for testing and antivirals before you get sick.
- Don’t visit high-risk settings such as hospitals and aged and disability care facilities, or people who are at higher risk if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.
- Follow any requirements for mask wearing and testing when visiting high-risk settings, to protect other people.
- Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
Please remember that now is a good time to consider getting a COVID-19 booster vaccination if you are aged 65 years and over or are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness and haven’t had one in the last 6 months.
A COVID-19 booster vaccination is recommended for all people aged 75 years and over if it has been more than 6 months since your last dose.
The Whiddon Team