Respiratory physician ‘edgy’ about months ahead

A respiratory physician says he’s “edgy” about how COVID-19 will play out over winter.

There were 11,464 new cases of COVID-19 and another five deaths recorded in Victoria in the last 24 hours.

Respiratory physician at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Dr Lou Irving, says he’s “edgy” about the coming months.

“I think there’s been slightly mixed messages,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“There are two populations in our community: there’s the population where COVID isn’t a big deal, particularly if that person is already vaccinated, but then there’s another population who, even if they’re vaccinated, COVID can be a big deal. Those people tend to be elderly, have underlying chronic diseases.

“I would suggest to anyone who has any health issue that they do everything possible to not get COVID.”

But Dr Irving says it’s not just COVID-19 that’s causing widespread illness at the moment.

“There’s certainly Influenza A circulating at the moment, more than it has in the past two years,” he said.

“That’s certainly one of the culprits, but we know at this time of year other viruses circulate as well.

“We have seen some cases of influenza plus COVID-19, and that sort of doubles the burden, if you like.”

For anyone feeling unwell, Dr Irving says rest should be the priority.

“Common sense would say rest, time off work so you don’t infect your colleagues, and let the body heal. But if you getting worse that’s when you see a doctor,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear why Dr Irving is “edgy”