Australian Media and Authorities Claim That New Mutant COVID-19 Variant is Driving Hospitalizations in Queensland
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 28, 2024 16 hours, 4 minutes ago
Medical News: Rising Hospitalizations Amid a New COVID-19 Wave
Queensland, the Sunshine State of Australia, is grappling with a significant surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, driven by a newly emerged and highly transmissible variant of the virus. Reports from health authorities and local media indicate that the number of hospital admissions has doubled in just two weeks, alarming both officials and residents during the festive season.
Australian Media and Authorities Claim That New Mutant COVID-19 Variant is
Driving Hospitalizations in Queensland
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr. Heidi Carroll expressed grave concerns about the situation. “COVID-19 is not going away; in fact, it continues to mutate, and Queensland is experiencing another wave,” she stated. The latest outbreak has been particularly harsh on elderly residents, with the majority of those hospitalized being over the age of 65. Many of these individuals are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, highlighting the ongoing need for immunization.
The Role of the XEC Variant
This
Medical News report sheds light on the new COVID-19 variant, identified as XEC, which has been pinpointed as the primary driver of the recent wave. First detected in Italy in May 2024, the XEC variant has shown a capacity for rapid transmission and has quickly established itself in Australia. Experts predict it could soon become the dominant strain globally.
Dr. Lara Herrero, a leading pathobiology expert, noted the concerning attributes of XEC. “We don’t know why yet, but reports suggest it may be able to spread more easily than other variants,” she explained. Early data indicates that XEC may thrive in warmer climates, as evidenced by its spread in Europe during the northern hemisphere’s summer months.
Vaccination and Precautions
Health officials are urging Queenslanders to take preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus. Dr. Carroll emphasized the importance of vaccinations. “Most of those being hospitalized are not up to date with their vaccinations,” she said. “We can halt the momentum of this COVID-19 wave if people ensure their vaccinations are current, especially our most vulnerable, stay home if they are unwell, and practice good hygiene.”
Currently, Queensland is seeing an average of 258 COVID-19-related hospitalizations per day, marking a staggering 128% increase from figures recorded less than two weeks ago. Almost one in five individuals infected with COVID-19 this year required hospitalization, underscoring the severity of the latest wave.
Preparing for an Uncertain Future
The emergence of the XEC variant and its impact on Queensland serves as a stark reminder that the pandemic is far from over. While researchers work to better understand the behavior of XEC, especially in warmer climates, public health strategies remain focused on
vaccination campaigns and reinforcing hygiene practices. The situation demands vigilance as Australia’s summer months could further influence the spread of the virus.
Media Reference:
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/mutant-covid19-wave-hits-queensland/news-story/06773784e59a8981688c06fb43731dd1
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