Older Australians and people vulnerable to COVID-19 should have a plan to fight the virus before testing positive, says the medical director.
Like asthma and other respiratory illnesses, people should have a treatment plan if they are at higher risk for coronavirus disease, said Professor Paul Kelly.
“Don’t wait until they can diagnose you with COVID because early treatment is the key,” he told reporters in Canberra.
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Two oral antiviral treatments, Lagevrio and Paxlovid, are available for people vulnerable to the severe effects of COVID-19.
Since treatments were added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Plan, use has increased, but there are more eligible people, Professor Kelly said.
“Now is the time, if you find yourself in these vulnerable groups, to have this conversation … (so) you know exactly where you can access these drugs and know exactly how to use them,” he said.
But he stressed that oral treatments were not a substitute for vaccination.
“(Treatments) are not for everyone. It’s not necessary for everyone,” he said.
“Most people with COVID will have a relatively mild illness, especially if they have been vaccinated … This is an additional protection for vulnerable people.”
Meanwhile, addressing the shortage of teachers due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the flu ranks high on the agenda of Education Minister Jason Clare.
The shortage was getting worse because of the especially cold winter, Clare said.
“It has caused teachers to be home thieves instead of being in the classroom caring for children,” he told reporters in Darwin on Thursday.
“We have a shortage of teachers across the country that is getting worse, not better.”
He said he would raise the issue with state and territory education ministers when they meet.
“I think different states and territories will make their own decisions in the coming months on what the rules on vaccines and teachers are.”
Age newspaper has reported that unvaccinated teachers will return to Victoria classrooms next week and parents will not be allowed to take their children out of school because their teacher is not vaccinated.
Mr. Clare acknowledged that the problem of teacher shortages was broader, with fewer young people joining the teaching profession and baby boomers retiring soon.
LATEST DATA OF COVID-19 THE 24 HOURS:
NSW: 9203 cases, 26 deaths, 1500 in hospital and 53 in ICU
Victory: 7461 cases, nine dead, 411 in hospital and 23 in the ICU
Tasmania: 1043 cases, two deaths, 46 in hospital and two in the ICU
WA: 5,351 cases, eight deaths, 260 in hospital and 12 in ICU
SA: 2762 cases, two deaths, 212 in hospital and 10 in the ICU
Queensland: 4970 new cases, five dead, 512 in hospital, six in ICU
ACT: 1134 new cases, no deaths, 88 in hospital, one in ICU
NT: 260 cases, no deaths, 14 in hospital and one in the ICU