A local doctor is urging residents to keep updated with their COVID-19 vaccines, as cases in the municipality continue to increase.
Wyndham registered 658 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, May 18, which was the second highest number of Covid cases in any local government area in the state and a 14.4 per cent increase compared to Wednesday, May 11.
Werribee GP Dr Joe Garra said low third dose vaccination rates in the area could have contributed to the figures.
“We need to get the doses up…we’re way down towards the bottom now, 64.7 per cent, which is a worry,” he said.
“It [COVID] hasn’t gone away, and it’s not going away in a hurry.
“Yes, it’s milder but it’s not mild for everyone.”
Dr Garra said people who have experienced the virus often believe they do not need a booster shot.
“Lots of people have had it now,” he said.
“They’re probably thinking I’ve had COVID, I’m okay.
“The evidence is your immunity doesn’t last long after having caught COVID, you only get a few months, if that.
“People have been isolating for two years now, so there’s been no cases for two years, people haven’t had little doses over the last two years, so no one’s got any immunity at the moment.”
Dr Garra said residents do not need to feel “paranoid” but should still exercise a level of caution.
“Make sure you’re up to date with your vaccines and just be careful of where you’re going,” he said.
“If the supermarket is crowded, go somewhere else, and don’t crowd up behind people, if you’re vulnerable, wear your mask.
“Keep your windows open at home so you don’t catch it from each other.”
Dr Garra said community members should not rely on rapid antigen tests.
“Symptoms and negative RAT means [do a] PCR,” he said.
There are currently 3531 active COVID-19 cases in Wyndham.
