Brace for another Covid Christmas as experts warn infections could spike again

An uptick in Covid cases has more Aussies hurrying to catch up on booster vaccinations amid worries of another 'Covid Christmas'.

New data from New South Wales Health released on Thursday shows Covid indicators increased across the board in the last fortnight with 5,718 cases reported.

'Total [emergency department] presentations for Covid for the fortnight ending November 19 were higher than for the fortnight ending November 5, although there was a small decline in the last week,' the report states.

'The number of admissions and proportion requiring admission remained stable suggesting no increase in severity [of the disease].'

It added the risk of Covid transmission in the community is now rated 'moderate to high' with children aged four and under and people over 65 the most affected.

NSW Health's Director of Communicable Diseases Christine Selvey warned the latest wave is likely to peak at Christmas for 'the third year in a row'.

'Nobody has a crystal ball but the modelling that we do have suggests that the increase will continue up through and into December,' she told the ABC.

'We had that first Omicron wave that coincided with Christmas and the New Year when it was really, really hectic and again last year around Christmas time, so certainly it could be - we don't expect it to peak until some time in December.'

The 20 per cent jump in cases compared to the last fortnight has been coupled with an rise in vaccination rates.

More than 17,300 vaccine doses administered in NSW in the two weeks to November 8, compared to just 9,700 doses in the prior fortnight, the highest rise in booster rates of any state.

Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Monday a new Covid vaccine.

The new XBB 1.5 vaccines are designed to better target the current variants in the community and will be available from December 11. Pfizer and Moderna will also release updated booster shots. 

It's believed Mr Butler's announcement caused the uptick in vaccinations with it acting as a reminder for doctors and health-conscious Aussies to boost their immunity. 

Australian Medical Association NSW president Dr Michael Bonning said the end of the year and upcoming family holidays for Christmas are incentive for people to arm themselves against new Covid strains.

'The Covid virus has drifted and changed in terms of what it looks like to the immune system,' he told the ABC on Thursday.

'That's why we need new versions of the vaccine in the setting of increasing numbers of Covid cases being reported.'

Some 1.3million booster shots have been administered in NSW since the beginning of 2023, with the busiest time recorded in May, but 89 per cent of the state's population have not been vaccinated in the last six months.

As the vaccine's effectiveness drops significantly after that time, NSW Health called for everyone aged over 65 and adults who are at a higher risk of serious Covid infection to go for a booster.

'These new vaccines will help protect Australians against current strains of Covid and demonstrate the Government's ongoing commitment to provide access to the latest and most effective vaccines,' Mr Butler said.

'Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness and death from Covid, particularly for older adults and those who are immunocompromised.

'While we are no longer in the emergency phase of this pandemic, Covid is still present, and people should continue to follow the advice of the experts from ATAGI, including getting vaccines as required.'

NSW Health also encouraged anyone with cold or flu symptoms to stay at home and wear face masks when they need to enter a public place.

Those at high-risk of serious illness were also urged to wear face masks.

'Be kind and considerate of someone's choice to wear a mask,' a spokesperson said.