Lexi Webster
Australia has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with the stock market in free fall, supermarket shortages, and a panic sale on flights. The country has reported over 28,000 positive cases and 900 deaths. Australia's quarantine policies have been criticized for their complexity and rushed implementation, leading to a second wave of infections in Melbourne and across the country. With ongoing community transmission and the emergence of new variants, the risk of COVID-19 remains a significant concern in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People at risk of getting the virus | Those who have recently been in a high-risk country or region, and people who have been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus |
| People at risk of severe symptoms | Overweight people, with two independent studies in France and the US finding that the more overweight a patient is, the more susceptible they are to severe symptoms |
| Quarantine policy | Australian-style hotel quarantine |
| Deaths | 908-909 |
| Population | 25.5 million |
| Positive cases | 28,031 |
| Vaccine | AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine |
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What You'll Learn
Quarantine policy and its effectiveness
Australia's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic involved closing borders and imposing lockdowns, which successfully eliminated local transmission of the virus. However, as the pandemic progressed, policy failures in key areas such as hotel quarantine and the vaccination campaign began to emerge. Australia's quarantine policy has been influenced by its history of tight biosecurity and institutional learning, with the country implementing a two-week quarantine for all international arrivals since March 2020. This, along with a short lockdown strategy and an effective test-and-trace system, contributed to Australia's initial success in containing the virus.
However, the emergence of more contagious variants, such as the Delta variant, has reduced the effectiveness of these measures. The quarantine policy for international arrivals has had leaks, allowing some infected individuals to slip through. Additionally, the success in containing the virus early on may have led to complacency in procuring sufficient vaccine doses, with Australia ordering vaccines relatively late compared to other nations.
The Australian states' rush to implement quarantine measures with little notice has also been identified as a key reason for Melbourne's second wave, highlighting the complexity and logistical challenges of quarantine policies. Restricting quarantine to a limited number of high-risk countries may not be sufficient to stop new variants from entering a country, and it can still be costly and disruptive.
Despite these challenges, Australia's quarantine policy response to COVID-19 has been considered more effective than those of many other countries. The country's successful response can be attributed to prior quarantine policies, institutional evolution, and mid-pandemic alterations of key national pandemic response plans. Australia's history of tight biosecurity and institutional learning has played a crucial role in shaping its pandemic response.
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High-risk exposure sites
In Australia, people most at risk of contracting the coronavirus are those who have recently returned from high-risk countries or regions, as well as those who have been in close contact with infected individuals. As the number of confirmed cases in Australia climbed, authorities focused on identifying and managing high-risk exposure sites to curb the spread.
In Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), the government faced challenges with its contact tracing system due to the sheer volume of exposure sites. As a result, NSW Health decided to stop publishing low-risk exposure sites in greater Sydney, focusing only on high-risk venues. These high-risk sites included places where people had gathered in households other than their own, workplaces, hospitals, aged care facilities, educational settings, and childcare centres.
The identification of high-risk exposure sites is a dynamic process, with sites being added or removed from the list as new information becomes available. For example, in Perth, WA, several exposure sites were identified as high-risk, and travellers returning from these sites were required to undergo testing and isolation.
It is important to note that the definition of high-risk exposure sites may vary depending on the local context and the evolving nature of the pandemic. As the pandemic situation changes, authorities adjust their criteria for classifying exposure sites as high or low risk. Individuals are advised to regularly check official sources and follow the recommended guidelines to protect themselves and prevent the further spread of the virus.
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Obesity rates and their impact on COVID-19
Australia has been successful in limiting the transmission of COVID-19, but it is still considered a high-risk country for the virus. Initially, the risk of infection was highest for those who had recently returned from a high-risk country or region, or those who had been in close contact with someone with COVID-19. However, as the virus spread, the risk increased for the wider population.
Obesity rates in Australia have been a concern for health experts, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Obesity has been identified as a major risk factor for severe morbidity and mortality among those infected with SARS-CoV-2. The rates of overweight and obesity in Australia have increased over the years, with 66% of adults falling into these categories in 2022, compared to 56% in 1995. Obese individuals are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, which further increase their vulnerability to COVID-19. Studies have shown that obesity is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation, critical illness, and mortality due to COVID-19.
The high obesity rate in Australia, coupled with the presence of other risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, could potentially increase the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes in the country. Obese individuals are more likely to experience severe illness and develop comorbidities if infected with COVID-19. This has been a global concern, with obesity rates reaching pandemic levels worldwide.
The Australian government and health experts have recognised the need to address obesity as a public health issue. They have suggested that lessons learned from successful campaigns, such as smoking cessation efforts, could be applied to combat obesity and reduce the associated health risks, including those related to COVID-19.
Overall, while Australia has managed to control the spread of COVID-19 effectively, the high obesity rates in the country could potentially impact the severity of COVID-19 cases and the overall health of the population. Targeted public health approaches are necessary to minimise the risk and burden of COVID-19 in countries like Australia, with high nationwide obesity rates.
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Border controls and travel restrictions
Australia has implemented various border controls and travel restrictions to manage the coronavirus pandemic. In March 2021, Queensland health authorities identified multiple high-risk exposure sites and worked to track down potential spread after an infected doctor was in the community.
In terms of international travel, Australia has explored the idea of "travel bubbles" with countries like New Zealand, allowing two-way quarantine-free travel between the nations. However, surges in new COVID-19 cases in Australia have sometimes disrupted these plans. For example, an increase in cases in Victoria delayed the implementation of the trans-Tasman bubble.
Australia has also imposed border controls on travellers arriving from high-risk countries. In March 2021, travellers who had stayed at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Brisbane were urged to get tested due to the spread of coronavirus within the hotel. Additionally, Papua New Guinea's surging COVID-19 cases were flagged as "a real risk" to Australia, prompting calls for a more proactive federal government response.
The Australian government has also implemented quarantine requirements for citizens and residents returning from high-risk countries. In February 2023, the UK announced that travellers arriving from 33 coronavirus hotspots, including Australia, would be required to undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine. This policy was influenced by Australia's approach to managing the pandemic.
Within Australia, different states have implemented their own border control measures. For instance, in March 2021, South Australia maintained its existing border controls despite new COVID-19 cases in New South Wales and Queensland.
Overall, Australia has actively managed its borders and imposed travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. These measures have included travel bubbles, quarantine requirements, and state-specific border controls.
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Vaccine rollout and safety concerns
Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout faced safety concerns and hesitancy from the public, which could have compromised the overall effectiveness of the rollout. A longitudinal survey in April 2021 reported that 55% of Australians indicated that they would definitely get vaccinated, with a higher rate reported in August 2020. However, another survey in November 2020, prior to the vaccine rollout, estimated that 71.5% of the sample agreed to get vaccinated, with safety concerns being the top reason for hesitancy.
Female gender, younger age, inadequate health literacy, and lower education were associated with reluctance to be vaccinated. Other factors influencing hesitancy included lower perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, belief that data on vaccine efficacy is questionable, lower confidence in the government, and lower perception of COVID-19 as a public health threat.
Despite these concerns, Australian authorities remained confident in the country's rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine, even as several European countries halted its use due to potential serious side effects, including blood clotting. Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, stated that there was no evidence linking the vaccine to blood clots and that he was “absolutely confident” in its safety. Health Minister Greg Hunt also "absolutely" supported the AstraZeneca rollout.
To address vaccine hesitancy, governments, health professionals, and vaccination providers may need to enhance vaccine safety messaging and provide evidence-based information, especially to populations with low health literacy, limited English proficiency, and cultural considerations.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has successfully eliminated community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but there is a high risk of virus transmission within quarantine hotels and the community. Australia has had a relatively high failure risk per 1000 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases transiting quarantine.
There is a high risk of importing coronavirus from high-risk countries to Australia. In 2020, it was estimated that 834 infected passengers travelled from Wuhan to major hubs in Australia, with a strong correlation between predicted importation risks and reported cases.
Australia has implemented the Coronavirus Emergency Response Plan, which includes operating as if coronavirus was already a pandemic. They have also set up pop-up and drive-through clinics, and GPs are offering telephone consultations for those who think they may have coronavirus. Australia has also restricted travel from high-risk countries and implemented a travel bubble with New Zealand.
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