What's That Rash? - TopPodcast.com

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Is Delta changing the way we go into lockdown? Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

South Australia has spent the first night of a week long lockdown after discovering a bunch of community cases of the highly infectious Delta variant.

It's a different way of handling an outbreak, especially when compared to NSW which waited much longer before declaring a lockdown.

So why do we still see some states act faster than others? And has the Delta variant changed the way contact tracing can help avoid locking down.

Also on today's show:

* More concerns about testing times in NSW and a possible way to reduce the stress on the system

* Whatever happened to deep cleaning?

* How can you consult your GP about vaccines if you don't have one?

The quick, cheap test coming to a stadium near you? Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

The standard way of testing for coronavirus is to shove a swab up your nose, and then run the sample through sensitive equipment in a pathology lab.

But while its the gold standard way of working out if someone is positive or not for COVID-19, it can take a while to get the result back.

So it is time to consider a different way of testing people where you need lots of tests done quickly - like sporting games, for example?

Also on today's show:

* NSW and VIC record slightly lower numbers

* How much Pfizer vaccine is going to waste (your comments/responses)

It's not getting worse... but it's also not getting better Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

COVID-19 is in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment.

It's not getting worse in Sydney, but then again despite lockdowns now going for several weeks it's not getting better yet either.

In Melbourne, it's still too early to know how the outbreak is trending, but case numbers have remained in the high teens over the weekend.

But we are learning more by the day about the Delta variant, and how it works in a low vaccination environment and under lockdowns.

So on today's Coronacast, the one number that helps contact tracers get cities out of lockdown.

Also on today's show:

* A clarification on the average number of contacts per COVID-19 case, and what happens under lockdowns

* Average ages of the Victorian outbreak

* What is happening to unused doses? Are they out there? We want to hear from you!

All for one, and one for all? Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

With Australia's two biggest cities now in lockdown, you'd be forgiven for wondering when is this all going to end.

Lockdowns are an incredibly blunt tool to control pandemics, but in many cases - if you want to keep control over spread - they're one of the only options available.

Yesterday, Melbourne joined Sydney in locking down thanks to the highly infectious Delta variant, which continues to put pressure on Australia's pandemic response.

So on today's Coronacast, what is the point of a lockdown? And are they worth it?

Also on today's show:

* University of Sydney modelling looks at Sydney's response

* Symptoms to keep an eye out for after AstraZeneca vaccination

And it's time for Quick Fire Friday! (Because it's Friday)

From Sydney to Melbourne... Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

It should be clear by now that coronavirus, especially the Delta variant, is incredibly infectious.

Victoria is the latest state to get hit, after the Delta variant found its way in two different ways: a family returning from Sydney and a removalist crew.

In Sydney, it's proving hard to get under control - with the NSW Government extending the lockdown in Greater Sydney by at least two weeks.

Also on today's show:

* ATAGI's updated advice on AstraZeneca

* An idea to make Pfizer go further

* Norman is accosted in a park

* Please get vaccinated (if you can) with an actual vaccination

A dip in numbers! Let's hope it's a trend Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

Every day when cases fall is a good day, and in NSW yesterday the numbers reduced in two key areas.

The first was the total number of new cases, and the second was the number of people out in the community while infectious.

However a single day does not make a trend, but the entire country is no doubt hoping that Sydney's outbreak has peaked.

Also on today's show:

* Origins of the coronavirus

* Warning for rare syndrome added to Johnson & Johnson label

The modelling is in. How long might Sydney's lockdown last? Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

Knowing for sure how long a lockdown will last is almost impossible, but scientific modelling might help us at least get a ballpark idea.

NSW yesterday recorded 112 new COVID-19 cases, despite being in lockdown for the last few weeks.

Modelling from the Burnet Institute has shown that while the current lockdown settings will work, it'll take months for caseloads to drop significantly.

So on today's Coronacast, what could help reduce the amount of time?

How much worse is it going to get? Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

It's certainly taken a turn for the worse in Sydney, with the number of COVID-19 cases per day doubling over the last four to five days.

We've heard that it's going to get worse before it gets better, and there are forecasts of more than a hundred cases today.

So how much longer are we in the upward trajectory of this curve? When will numbers finally start to come back down? And how long, realistically, are we looking at with this lockdown?

Also on today's show:

* Norman brings his 2nd AstraZeneca dose forward (that's his personal choice, talk to your doctor before making yours)

* How do we know if the vaccines will have long term effects or not?

* Will COVID-19 become a disease of the young?

Why Sydney's lockdown could grumble along for a while Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

Nearly two weeks into Sydney's lockdown, and yesterday the state has recorded its highest daily number of COVID-19 cases in the outbreak so far.

It's not good news for residents, as many of the cases were in public while infectious - which may lead to further chains of transmission.

It's also becoming clearer that this outbreak is dragging on longer than hoped, and it seems the epidemiological figures back that up.

So on today's Coronacast, if something doesn't change in Sydney, the lockdown may last for quite a while yet.

GUEST:

Adrian Esterman, Professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Adelaide

NOTE: The episode's audio incorrectly refers to Professor Esterman as being from the University of Adelaide. He is from the University of South Australia. The transcript has been amended to reflect this.

Why does Sydney need another week? Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Sadly, greater Sydney and surrounding areas are to spend another week in lockdown after COVID-19 cases have refused to come down to more comfortable levels.

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned cases today will likely also be high, and that additional restrictions may need to be imposed.

So on today's Coronacast, why do authorities need more time? And what can we tell about the Delta variant from the cases so far?

Also on today's show:

* Is the number of people in ICU in the Sydney outbreak unusually high?

* Why isn't Dr Norman Swan having a second AstraZeneca shot now that it's 8 weeks after his very public first shot?

* We hear a lot about the Delta variant and now Kappa and Lambda variants. Were there variants in between that got named?

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