NEW research has revealed the lax attitude of most Australians towards COVID-19, with more than four in five (83%) only somewhat, or not at all, concerned about the impact of the virus in their community.
The troubling findings, which were captured in Pfizer Australia's fourth COVID Community Sentiment Index, showed that Aussies are more complacent than ever about COVID-19 compared to previous years.
The prior three iterations of the COVID Community Sentiment Index showed around two in three Australians (61% in Nov 2023, 66% in May 2023 and 61% in Nov 2022) felt less concerned about the impact of the virus in their community than a year earlier.
According to the survey of 1,000 Australians, which was conducted last month, 27% of Australians who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 reported they were not at all worried about their personal risk.
The research also highlighted a lack of awareness surrounding oral antiviral medicines, with more than a third of Aussies (35%) unaware that they can help reduce the risk of serious illness from COVID-19, while more than half (54%) didn't realise they need to be started within five days of symptoms arising or testing positive.
Additionally, more than half (54%) of Australians at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 have not checked their eligibility for oral antiviral medicines.
"For most people, COVID-19 is no longer front of mind but all of us on the frontline are still seeing the significant impact of the virus on the more vulnerable members of our communities," said Dr Krishan Thiru, Medical Director at Pfizer Australia and New Zealand (pictured).
He went on to suggest that patients at higher risk of serious illness should be encouraged to put together a COVID plan with their GP as soon as possible, get tested if they suspect COVID-19, and be ready to act fast and implement their plan if they test positive.
The findings follow new data from the Federal Government, which shows that a seven-day rolling average of 117 Australians a day were admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and 37 people were in intensive care units with COVID-19 complications, as of 01 Mar 2024.
Australians are encouraged to check if they are at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 and their eligibility for oral antiviral medicines at health.gov.au or knowplango.com.au. JM
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