COVID-19, flu cases escalate in NSW

COVID-19 cases have rapidly increased in NSW.

NSW Health’s respiratory surveillance report has recorded a 22 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases and a 30 per cent increase in influenza.

There are currently 5220 COVID-19 cases in NSW for the week ending June 1, up from 4262 for the week ending May 25. In contrast, there were 2813 reported cases for the week ending May 11. The worst affected areas in NSW are western Sydney with 805 cases and south western Sydney with 691 cases.

Areas emerging as hot spots include south eastern Sydney (500 cases), Hunter New England (481 cases), Nepean Blue Mountains (298 cases), Sydney (300 cases) Central Coast (257 cases) and the Illawarra Shoalhaven (275 cases).

COVID-19 cases by local government area (week ending June 1, 2024)

The new COVID-19 strain includes the ‘FLiRT’ sublineages, including KP.2 and KP.3, which stem from JN.1, which dominated infections early this year.

Infectious diseases physician Professor Peter Collignon said you would expect to see a spike of COVID-19 cases in winter.

“I would expect the wave to last around six weeks,” he said. “My expectation is that it won’t go for the whole of winter.”

Prof. Collignon said as influenza and RSV spike during the colder months so would COVID-19.

He urged people to take basic measures such as staying home if unwell, wearing a mask if you need to go out, getting some fresh air and staying up to date with recommended vaccinations.