Covid risk is getting smaller, says ‘face of pandemic’ doctor
Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth says it is reassuring there has been a decrease in the number of Australians in vulnerable groups being infected with Covid-19.
Dr Nick Coatsworth says we should take the focus off daily infection rates. (Pic: ABC).
With the number of total virus cases set to reach 10 million by the end of the month, Dr Coatsworth says the risk caused by Covid-19 to the public is getting smaller.
“The number of vulnerable people in Australia (with Covid-19) is decreasing because of the powerful effect of vaccinations, particularly four doses for those over 65, and the milder variants that we’re seeing emerging,” he told Sky News.
“Whilst the number of deaths, it’s certainly sad … the actual risk to individuals is getting smaller.”
The current death toll from Covid in Australia stands at 13,001 including 73 fatalities announced on Tuesday and a further 42 on Wednesday, including 41 in NSW and Victoria.
Coatsworth said there needed to be a further examination of data to determine the number of deaths from Covid-19, rather than have it also include people who died from a different cause but had the virus at the time.
“We need to actually have that research conducted,” he said.
“We have the data there and it should be analysed instead of this, sort of, to and fro of academic anecdotes that goes around at the moment.
“People are still dying from Covid-19, that is from Covid lung disease.
“The people who are doing so unfortunately are at the extreme end of their lives or they have very severe immune suppression.”
As of Wednesday, the total number of infections from Covid in Australia stands at 9.83 million.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA:
Victoria: 4732 cases, 15 deaths, 518 in hospital with 29 in ICU
NSW: 8064 cases, 26 deaths, 2115 in hospital with 52 in ICU
Tasmania: 487 cases, one death, 66 in hospital with four in ICU.
