COVID-19 alert: GPs urged to prioritise antivirals in elderly careÂ
The earlier oral treatment are taken, the better the clinical outcome for high-risk patients, says clinician researcher
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Australia is experiencing a winter jump in COVID-19 infections and a concurrent rise in ICU admissions, prompting a call for vaccinations and early antiviral treatment for high-risk patients.Â
Winter increase: Notified COVID-19 cases began rising in late April 2025, with a 64.2% jump in the fortnight ending 1 June compared with the previous fortnight. This mirrors the seasonal pattern of May–August peaks in prior years.Â
Steady stream into ICUs: Sentinel-site ICU surveillance recorded 203 COVID-19 ICU admissions from 1 January to 4 May 2025 — roughly 50 admissions a month, indicating a continuous stream of severe cases.
