We might no longer be in lock down or under tight restrictions but unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is still here.
With more than 10,000 COVID cases per day in NSW in late July 2022, experts are warning people to get their fourth dose of the vaccine.
So what is the future of COVID?
HMRI hosted a Q&A session with HMRI respiratory disease researcher and physician Professor Peter Wark and HMRI viral Immunologist Associate Professor Nathan Bartlett to share their thoughts as to what the future may hold for COVID.
Both agree the situation remains very serious, and pointed out Australia currently has the largest number of patients in hospital due to COVID than we have had since the COVID pandemic began.
Our expert presenters addressed the following:
Our presenters:
Professor Peter Wark is a Senior Staff Specialist in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital. He is also a senior respiratory researcher at HMRI and the University of Newcastle. Professor Wark has also been appointed to the NSW Health COVID-19 Council of Clinical Practice.
Associate Professor Nathan Bartlett is a virologist and Head of Viral Immunology and Respiratory Disease research at HMRI and the University of Newcastle. He has been leading the development of a nasal spray to be used for protection against COVID-19 and other viruses which is currently in clinical trials.