Employers have been referred to as on to permit earn a living from home and contemplate masks sporting within the workplace as a "very important" COVID-19 wave infects tons of of 1000's of Australians every week.
Well being Minister Mark Butler rung the alarm bell on COVID-19 circumstances in Australia at present because the Omicron wave coupled with a spike in influenza circumstances places elevated strain on the hospital system.
"As of at present, there are greater than 5200 Australians in hospital with Covid," Butler mentioned
"We're seeing tons of and tons of of 1000's of Australians contaminated each single week on this wave."
The rise in numbers has led Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly to name on "employers to permit earn a living from home if possible" and contemplate masks sporting throughout the winter Omicron wave.
"We're at first of this wave, not the tip," Kelly mentioned.
"We can't cease this wave of infections however we will gradual the unfold and shield the susceptible," he added in a press release.
"We have now achieved this earlier than and we will do it once more."
Kelly mentioned the brand new Omicron variant, BA.5, is a "important menace" and is inflicting the surge in infections.
"It is rather more infectious than earlier variants," he mentioned.
"It is also excellent at escaping immunity, whether or not that's from a earlier an infection so, you may get re-infected with this specific variant."
"The state of affairs we confront at present compared to January is that hospitals are additionally grappling with flu," he mentioned.
"A spread of different respiratory sicknesses and the standard surge in hospital exercise that we see throughout winter."
Butler mentioned hospitalisations have been "nearly sure" to extend however mentioned presently there are fewer individuals in intensive care in comparison with the January wave.
"Our authorities is dedicated to doing all the pieces potential to get Australia by this winter safely and healthily," Butler mentioned.
Renewed calls to get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19
Butler urged eligible Australians to come back ahead for his or her booster pictures.
He mentioned 550,000 Australians have acquired their fourth dose over the previous seven days.
"Two doses of COVID vaccines are simply not sufficient," he mentioned.
Essentially the most triple vaccinated international locations on Earth
He additionally urged all Australians, notably youngsters, to get vaccinated for the flu.
"Our vaccination charges for influenza for underneath 5 12 months olds are lagging the place they traditionally have been at this level within the flu season, lagging fairly significantly," he mentioned.
"As we all know, by tragic expertise, youngsters underneath the age of 5, and notably youngsters underneath the age of two, are a really excessive danger class for influenza."
Six in ten of the 1300 Australians hospitalised for the flu this 12 months have been underneath the age of 16.
Authorities name for extra protections in opposition to COVID-19
Kelly has urged individuals to put on masks when away from house in crowded indoor areas as a brand new Omicron variant rips by Australia.
"This is not going to be ceaselessly however for the following few weeks," Kelly mentioned.
"That is the best way we will truly affect the unfold of the virus, shield susceptible individuals in our group and in addition shield our healthcare techniques that are already underneath pressure."
Kelly mentioned employers ought to "contemplate the feasibility of some workers working from house, sporting masks within the office and assist workers to take depart when sick".
Moderna 'provisionally authorized' for younger youngsters
However ATAGI nonetheless wants to present the inexperienced gentle to ensure that younger Australians to get the shot.
"Till that time, that is merely not a vaccine that will be out there to these youngsters," Butler mentioned.
He added there have been additionally provide issues with the Moderna vaccine for younger youngsters, which is completely different from the grownup shot.
Butler urged dad and mom to e book an appointment for his or her youngsters to be vaccinated as soon as the approval course of is accomplished.