NSW records lowest case tally this year with 6,686 new infections as Victorian numbers remain steady

NSW has recorded its lowest Covid case tally this year with 6,686 new infections as ICU numbers continue to fall in the state. 

Victoria recorded 7,223 new infections and 18 deaths on Sunday as the state looks to end its ‘Code Brown alert for the state’s hospitals from Monday. 

There are less than 100 ICU patients in NSW with 1,614 people currently in hospital with the virus and 93 in intensive care – a fall from 104 on Saturday.  

Case numbers are down 18 per cent in NSW, in a positive sign the latest Omicron outbreak has peaked, with the state reporting 22 deaths on Sunday.  

Sunday’s numbers come as the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) warned the effectiveness of Covid vaccines can drop from 80 per cent to zero in just four months. 

New advice from the immunisation body shows initial protection of 36 per cent to 88 per cent is estimated to wane rapidly to 0 to 34 per cent approximately four months out from the second dose.

This means a person who has received both doses could lose up to 50 per cent protection against Covid in just 120 days.

Vaccine effectiveness against the risk of hospitalisation with Omicron was also found to drop, falling to 52 per cent.

ATAGI said a Pfizer booster shot appears to restore ‘moderate levels’ of effectiveness against symptomatic Omicron cases by 71 to 76 per cent.

A booster dose was also found to increase vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation to 88 per cent. 

The Federal Government on Thursday updated its vaccine policy on the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). 

Australians will no longer be classed as ‘up to date’ on their Covid vaccinations if they have not had a booster six months after their second dose. 

The new rule means anyone with an essential role – such as teachers, health and aged care workers, airport and quarantine staff, as well as food distribution and transport workers – could need to get a third shot or face the sack. 

There were 190,267 active cases in Australia on Thursday – the lowest number since January 2 and a drop of 77 per cent over the past 24 days.

Scott Morrison announced this month that Australia’s international borders will reopen to double-dosed tourists on February 21, after a two-year shutdown.

ATAGI said the updated advice will not impact international holidaymakers as the changes are focused on the domestic management of the virus and not international border settings.

More to come.