Public health specialists are pushing for legislation requiring remote work and other measures in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, to combat the new COVID-19 outbreak.
They are also cautioning against complacency amid an increasing burden of long COVID in the population, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald.
COVID Increase
One student and more than 30% of the staff at an independent high school in northwest Sydney were forced to leave last week due to an outbreak, forcing the institution to close.
According to the most recent NSW Health data, 14,089 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the week ending Nov. 5. Medical studies imply that this number is understated because not everyone exhibits symptoms, and testing is no longer required.
The state's 160,000 NSW Health employees' absence rates are being examined by the government to track the virus's spread. According to statistics from the Herald, 645 employees were isolated on Nov. 9 either because of an infection or awaiting a result- a significant increase from 458 on Nov. 2.
Dr. Michael Bonning, president of the Australian Medical Association NSW, expressed hope that companies would permit working from home when needed but noted that the state government must prevent this from happening.
The NSW government's sources disputed claims that such negotiations would probably take place. Businesses are now free to establish their attendance standards thanks to the National Cabinet's removal of all mandates and emergency measures, as noted by the Herald.
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The Threat of Long COVID
According to Bonning, the government must develop a proactive pandemic policy that prompts a return to the work-from-home mandate when instances reach a certain threshold.
Additionally, he expressed concern that long COVID, in which symptoms last for more than three months, poses a risk to the broader community.
The common symptoms of prolonged COVID include weakness, general malaise, tiredness, headaches, blurred vision, hair loss, shortness of breath, and a cough.
Long COVID is the subject of an ongoing federal parliamentary investigation, COVID clinics across Australia are reportedly unable to keep up with demand.
According to a representative for NSW Health, the state budget allocated $19 million for treating long-term COVID, including establishing a clinic at Nepean Hospital.
Bonning suggested that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Vaccination should broaden the scope of who is eligible for booster vaccinations, especially for older and more vulnerable individuals who should be given a fifth dosage.
Bonning added that there's a need for more consistency in terms of public health messaging and encouragement for residents to wear masks, receive booster shorts, and maintain testing and reporting results.
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Written by Jace Dela Cruz
