Australia has been repeatedly hailed for its handling of the coronavirus. Through large parts of the pandemic, the country has been able to keep the spread of infection in check by means of very strict infection control measures.
However, Omikron has changed the situation drastically. By New Year’s, the country – which houses over 25 million inhabitants – had “only” registered 360,000 cases of infection. Barely a month later, the number is over 2.4 million, according to recent figures from Worldometers.
In Central Australia, the situation is so critical that the pandemic is described as “out of control”, and the state authorities in the Northern Territory are now being slaughtered for their handling of the situation, writes The Guardian.
Victoria (28) became infected after four doses
– Disaster
The three largest Aboriginal organizations in Central Australia, the Central Land Council, the Congress Aboriginal Health Service and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, are taking a hard line against the state authorities following the recent sharp rise in infections.
– Many of the challenges we now face were anticipated, and plans were made to solve them. However, there has been a significant failure of government agencies to implement the plans that were agreed. This has directly led to the virus spreading out of control in Aboriginal communities in central Australia. This is a catastrophic failure on the part of the authorities, it is stated in a letter to the Prime Minister of the Northern Territory, Michael Gunner.
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The groups are begging the state authorities to take action before the situation worsens, and are calling for a new shutdown.
– This is our last chance to flatten the infection curve and reduce the number of hospital admissions, they write further.
– Being degraded by frustrated people
– Best in the world
Gunner does not agree with the criticism, and believes the state’s handling is among the best in the world.
– We have been the best for two years. This also applies now that infection rates are increasing. We have three people in the intensive care unit. If we look at the situation elsewhere, and how they handle it, our response is still the best in the world, he said during a press conference on Friday.
He nevertheless shows understanding that some want stricter measures, but emphasizes that it will not be possible to implement in practice.
– We must use our resources correctly and ensure that those who need treatment and care, actually get it. And that is where these resources are, he says.
The situation turned upside down
Quick test crisis
The last month’s contagion has hit all of Australia.
Last week, the country’s pharmacies reported a critical shortage of antigen rapid tests, which people need to be able to show up for work or to visit relatives in hospitals.
The situation is so critical that the police have focused on the sale of overpriced quick tests. They warn that attempts to sell at more than 20 percent of the original price, can be punished with imprisonment for up to five years or fines of $ 66,000.
– The Federal Police (AFP) will with full force crack down on price cheating for quick tests. Not only is it unethical, it is also illegal, and AFP will spend significant resources on protecting citizens from individual greed, Assistant Police Commissioner Nigel Ryan said on Thursday last week.
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