Without stricter limitations, cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus might exceed 200,000 per day next year across the country, according to state and territory leaders.
According to media, the Doherty Institute’s latest modelling indicates that Omicron infections will rise and overwhelm the health system unless greater limitations are imposed.
The modelling was done in preparation for today’s emergency meeting of the National Cabinet, which will discuss increasing the time between the second vaccine dose and the booster shot.
Without medium-level limits, up to 200,000 cases per day might be reported across Australia by late January or early February.
If the virus spreads at its current rate, hospitalisation rates could exceed 4000 per day.
The simulation assumes that there are few or no restrictions, such as no lockout, low-density regulations, no retail restrictions, and schools remain open.
It also assumes that the Omicron version is more contagious than the Delta variant and causes serious sickness.
According to the simulations, a severe lockdown could stop a significant outbreak in a month if most Australians had received all three vaccine doses by then.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison reiterated on Tuesday that Australians would not be subjected to another state of emergency.
Mr Morrison stated, “We’re not going back to lockdowns.”
“We’re not going back to putting people’s lives at jeopardy.”
“We have to give Australians the freedom to make their own decisions about their health and lives.”
The emergency National Cabinet meeting was set for today in order for state, territorial, and federal leaders to discuss the mounting threat of the Omicron variant before Christmas.
In a letter to the leaders ahead of the summit, Mr Morrison stated that it is critical for Australians to take responsibility for their own health as COVID-19 cases rise.
