Increase in COVID-19; prepare for influenza and RSV

The WA Communicable Disease Control Directorate issued an Infectious Diseases Health Alert for Clinicians on 9 June in relation to COVID-19, influenza and RSV:

  • COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and wastewater indicators are increasing in WA. Omicron sub-variant NB.1.8.1 now predominates in clinical and wastewater samples. NB.1.8.1 has been linked to surges in COVID-19 activity in other countries, although current data do not indicate that it leads to more severe illness than other circulating variants.
  • Influenza has been circulating above the seasonal threshold for most of the year, with evidence of an increase in activity over recent weeks.
  • RSV notifications remain at interseasonal levels but are expected to increase soon.

Health care workers are reminded to:

  • Vaccinate eligible patients and aged care residents against COVID-19, influenza and RSV.
  • Test patients and aged care residents who have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection.
  • Consider antiviral medications for eligible patients and residents with COVID-19 or influenza.

Read the full alert here