A New Omicron Wave is upon us

According to an article on The Conversation website, a unique collaboration between academics and journalists in New Zealand and Australia that is the world’s leading publisher of research-based news and analysis, we are on the brink of a new Omicron wave.

New Zealand has been in a COVID lull for the past two months, but with the BA.5 variant on the rise and more than 10,000 new daily cases reported this week, it appears we are now at the start of a second Omicron wave.

How large it will be is difficult to predict, but a number of factors coincide to make this the most serious moment in the pandemic this year since the first wave in March.

Many people within the community, especially the elderly and immunocompromised regardless of prior vaccinations have a significantly lower immunity now than they did in the first wave and winter is flu season.

The current (BA.5) variant seems to have the ability to infect people who were immune to earlier variants, thus far there is no indication that it is more severe. However, it looks set to become the most dominant variant in the coming week.

Unfortunately, I fall into the immunocompromised category and after recently completing an initial course of infusions for my health condition, my immune system has in effect been wiped out.

This means any prior vaccinations that I’ve had are now none existent and I’m currently waiting on advice from my specialist around starting all over again with the initial first Covid shot and possibly even another influenza and pneumonia shot.

The thing is, according to health professionals the vaccine is still our best line of defence against the adverse effects of COVID as it provides a high level of protection against getting seriously ill. And having the influenza vaccine is also important as it can prevent people from getting sick this winter and ease the burden on the healthcare system.

Other measures that people can take to help protect not only themselves but those around them, especially the elderly and immunocompromised is using high-quality masks indoors, testing and staying home if you are sick.

These sentiments have been repeated this morning (10 July) in a variety of news reports with Covid Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall acknowledging that the current situation is “getting more challenging”.

“We’re in for a tough few weeks ahead, cases will continue to rise, there will be a lot of pressure on the health system which is why we are asking everyone to mask up, get vaccinated including for flu and get boosted.”

Unfortunately, it seems as if a sense of complacency has crept in over the past few months with many people thinking that once they have had Covid they’ll be right. Recently I was catching up with people over lunch and a cuppa and to be honest I’d say that only about a quarter of people out and about were wearing masks (that might be quite conservative).

Auckland University’s associate professor Dr Siouxsie Wiles says Kiwis were not unified in their approach to public health measures and that it was “frustrating” when there wasn’t a critical mass of people using basic Covid-19 protections “when we have all these public health measures available”.

The above frustrations and concerns constitute why I need to continue being vigilant and ensure that I am doing all I can to remain safe in these challenging times in which we live, as the coronavirus could have a devastating effect on my health.

The Ministry of Health numbers over the past week show an ongoing growth in transmission of Covid-19 and health experts are urging the public to embrace basic known measures (getting your vaccinations, using high-quality masks indoors, social distancing, testing and staying home if you are sick) to stop the spread of Covid-19

The pandemic is clearly not over yet, the World Health Organisation is currently monitoring a new subvariant nicknamed “centaurus”. Apparently this has been reported in New Zealand in recent weeks and some experts fear it could be even more evasive and transmissible than its former Omicron variants.

The thing is, this virus will continue to evolve to get around our immunity and this will lead to ongoing waves into the future until a cure is found to wipe it out, not just keep it at bay.

But we are not helpless in the face of it we can use basic health measures (getting your vaccinations, using high-quality masks indoors, social distancing, testing and staying home if you are sick) to help protect those within our community that need it.

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The reason for my concern and vigilance as we return to normal

As I mentioned the other day on my Star Wars Day post there is a sense that we and governments across the world want to return to ‘business as usual’, ‘normal’, or at least a semblance of what life was like before. 

As soon as possible!

However, this isn’t going to be the case for some of us, especially those that are immunocompromised and today I share the reason for my concern and vigilance as we return to a level of normalcy. 

I read an article by well renowned specialist Siouxsie Wiles which featured in the New Zealand Herald on 4 May. It was also published by The Spinoff where she shares what she knows about the current Covid 19 Omicron Outbreak and the new variants that have been identified in South Africa. 

She explains that “as most countries are winding down their testing and sequencing efforts South Africa continues to be at the leading edge of identifying new Covid-19 variants and they are currently compiling information about the newly recognised Omicron lineages, BA.4 and BA.5 which are responsible for a new rise in cases in South Africa, the country’s fifth wave of Covid-19.”

Siouxsie Wiles goes on to say that “it’s not clear at the moment whether what’s driving the rise in cases is:

1. BA.4 and BA.5 being more infectious,
2. BA.4 and BA.5 having mutations that help them evade immunity even more,
3. or whether everyone’s immunity from the last wave is now waning, making them susceptible to infection again.”

“It’ll also be a while before we know whether these new lineages are more dangerous than the virus already is, at least for people without access to the new antivirals.”

As I read through the remainder of the article the concerning aspect for people like me, who are immunosuppressed, is that “the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variant may be able to infect the deeper lung tissues.” 

She goes on to say that; “One big problem with the ‘getting back to normal’ phase that most countries have adopted is that it is putting immunocompromised people at high risk of infection…. Most people who catch Covid-19 will clear the virus in a few days or weeks. But some immunocompromised people are at increased risk of the virus replicating in their cells for many months.”

In conclusion, she recommends that we need to continue “doing our best to reduce community transmission and stop the virus from infecting immunocompromised people, we need to reduce the chances a large gathering could become a super-spreader event.“

The Coronavirus Pandemic is not ending any time soon.

It would appear that we are a long way away from seeing an end to the Covid pandemic – Period! Due to the nature of the virus and its ability to morph and adapt to the changing dynamics of the environment in which it tries to live.

But we need to keep holding on and doing what we can for the betterment of those around us. In this time some people have been badly affected, not just financially, emotionally, or even spiritually.

We need to draw strength from each other, encourage and build each other up in whatever ways we can, and to coin a phrase that many people are most probably tired of hearing already – Be kind! 

You see, for some, things may look dark right now, but the light is coming! So can I encourage those that can, to reach out and help where you are able, just maybe you will be that light for someone. And for those of you that are struggling right now can I encourage you to reach out for support from those that are willing to help and keep holding on!

I for one am thankful for what the government and people throughout the country, here in New Zealand, have been doing over the past couple of years to keep themselves and many others like me safe.

I appreciated the huge sacrificial cost and the effort required by all and sundry – and because of the faith that I have in The Light I’m not overly anxious or fearful about the way forward. For when I’m afraid I put my trust and faith in Him.

However, I’m sensible enough to put systems in place to protect myself, and although from time to time I may be a little concerned, I will remain pretty vigilant as we return to normal to ensure that I protect not only myself, but also those closest to me.

Unfortunately, I am unable to wear a mask as Scleroderma has affected my lungs and I find it extremely hard to breath while wearing a mask. In a few weeks time I will also be starting a new course of medications that will completely knock out my immune system for at least a couple of months – which on one level, in and of itself is enough of a concern as we approach the cold & flu season.   

Therefore, this means that I will need to remain shielding myself from “normal”, not going out during busy periods to meet others for meetings at cafes, restaurants, and going to shops etc. Limiting my exposure to larger group settings, such as church and including the work office environment as people continue to exhibit symptoms within the community. It doesn’t stop me from getting out and about – but it does mean I need to be extra careful and avoid certain situations and places that would put me at risk. 

For people just like me, we need to remain extremely vigilant and reduce the chances of infection as much as possible. So, I hope you can all appreciate these concerns and our vigilance as the world around us returns back to business as usual / normal.

Many Blessings 🙂

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