<
https://nit.com.au/28-11-2023/8818/covid-19-cases-in-the-nt-a-worry-for-indigenous-health-group>
'As an eighth wave of COVID-19 sweeps across Australia there has been a sharp
rise in the number of people contracting the virus in the Northern Territory.
Whilst reporting of the COVID-19 through Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) is no
longer mandatory, the NT Centre for Disease Control has been notified of more
than 500 cases over the most recent four-week period, mostly in Darwin, East
Arnhem and Katherine regions.
The figure is an increase from the 160 confirmed cases in the two weeks between
21 October and 3 November, which itself was double the number from the previous
two weeks.
Due to the lack of reporting, health officials are concerned the number could
be higher.
This is of particular concern in the NT, where vaccine booster numbers remain
low. Only an estimated 43 per cent of NT residents 75 years and over have
received a COVID-19 vaccination in 2023.
The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC), the territory's largest
Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation, told
National Indigenous
Times that the rise of cases - especially amongst older and more vulnerable
patients - was concerning.
"The big issue for us is that the dominant public message is that COVID-19 is
the same as Influenza. This is leading fewer people to be up to date with
boosters," CAAC said.
"COVID is not the flu. It mutates naturally and more frequently, so boosters
are vital. It is also a much more deadly disease, and a virus that affects the
vascular system.
"This brings with it an increased risk of subsequent cardiac events and
strokes; a big concern in our population where there are already too many
people at high cardiovascular risk."
The
National Indigenous Times reported earlier this month on the high
prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Indigenous people. Nearly a
third of the NT identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The CAAC said the population demographics could exacerbate the fatalities and
serious impact of the disease.
"The threat of severe illness continues to be greater for older patients and
for those with chronic disease or other frailties. Unfortunately, Aboriginal
people are over-represented in this category," they said.'
Via Violet Blue’s
Pandemic Roundup: November 30, 2023
https://www.patreon.com/posts/pandemic-roundup-93729855
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
