The Riley Report

21/02/2022

Getting back to the office, or getting out of a mask.... see what you need to know below.

Hope you guys are all doing ok out there.... 23 months since we saw the effects of this s**t show begin to effect our lives...

Two years ago I was at A Day on the Green watching my childhood crushes A-HA play, with little idea of what was around the corner.

All my children have had COVID-19 in the past 5 weeks, yet I have still managed to avoid it. I do feel like it's a ticking time bomb... just waiting, waiting, waiting... but maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones?

Til the next piece of newsworthy stuff comes along....

Out xo

04/02/2022

Finding it quite hard to decipher what's going on out there at the moment. I've been sitting back watching the daily numbers and doing a bit of reading but haven't had a lot to say that could be seen as concrete.

Today we have our lowest case numbers since January 2nd, but our highest day of deaths since 4th September 2020?

Food for thought, and some discussions I have had with people recently:

*** Are parents testing their kids twice a week before school, or are they stockpiling the RATs for when they think they'll need them themselves?

***Are they testing their kids but still sending them to school because they don't want another interrupted school year and their kids aren't showing symptoms, so why not?

*** Are people testing positive and then not reporting it and going about their business regardless?

*** How many of these deaths are people dying from COVID rather than with COVID (never taking away from the sadness that whichever way it is, someone has lost a life).

*** Will isolation rules change again if we get another strain that is more like DELTA? And will anyone listen anyway? And will we ever know the true extent of a new strain and wave with RAT testing the preferred option now?

*** How many cases are out there undetected because of people either not having a strong enough viral load to pick COVID up on a RAT, or people not doing the test properly?

*** How many people will not have a fourth jab if this is the next step - and how many have avoided the third jab so far because they've seen friends get quite unwell after it?

I probably sound very cynical but well.... I probably am. These are just uttering I have had with friends and people in the community.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't long for the simplicity of 2019 and prior at least once a day!

Out xo

18/01/2022

So, the talk of the day is the 'Code Brown' that has been introduced into the healthcare system...

Code Brown.... says it all really, doesn't it! 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩

11/01/2022

Case numbers... yeah, next. We know they're going to stay high for at least a few more weeks.

Hospital numbers are up by 85 however, with 946 people currently in hospital with COVID 19. Again, we don't know how many of them went to hospital 'FOR COVID', or with COVID as an additional tag along, however, either way, it's putting additional pressure on the system as a COVID positive person cannot just be placed on a normal ward.

This is our highest hospital number ever, with the highest number in previous outbreaks being 851 back on 18th October last year.

At this time there were 155 in ICU vs the current 112, and 103 on ventilators vs 31, so that aligns with the notion that this variant is less deadly - for MOST, not ALL.

It's also been our deadliest day since 28th October last year. Yesterday 21 COVID positive people lost their lives. Again, unsure whether it was a primary or secondary cause, but super sad regardless.

Let's hope that we reach the peak by months end, and things start to decrease steadily - as quickly as they escalated would be nice!

Out xo

10/01/2022

Almost half the positive cases today were reported via the RAT tracking system.

The tile below shows how many are in hospital, however, doesn't show the increases and decreases now as it used to. For those following, there are 43 more than there were yesterday. ICU numbers are down 1, but with 13 deaths, there is a chance that that might be reflective of the drop.

NSW case numbers have dropped, but these will surely well surpass ours again in coming days when they too start reporting positive RAT tests. They have had an increase of 157 people in hospital, and 11 in ICU.

It would be good to know of the new hospital admissions in both states, how many were admitted for COVID issues, or other issues when they just happen to be COVID positive.

Have a great day!

Out xo

08/01/2022

Big numbers again, but there will continue to be historical cases added to the numbers across the next few days as people report positive RAT tests taken up to a week ago.

COVID Pete has reported that 52.57% of tests have come back positive, but that figure is inaccurate as that includes positive RATs and PCRs divided only by the PCR test numbers. We will never know how many people have taken negative RAT tests so we will never have a true figure of what % of people testing are actually positive.

Hospital numbers are up by 21, but pleasingly ICU numbers are down by 5.

Out xo

08/01/2022

From today's press conference with Martin Foley...

There are still many undiagnosed cases, and there will be a degree of doubling if the system doesn't recognise that someone has lodged a RAT and also had a PCR test. This should iron out across the next few days.

Of the RATs in today's figures, they are from (approx numbers) -
1/1 - 620
2/1 - 1700
3/1 - 2500
4/1 - 3800
5/1 - 5000
6/1 - 6700
7/1 - 5923

Important to recognise that the figures reported from yesterday to today have not just doubled over night - granted however there was still a significant rise.

In figures now available, hospital numbers increased by 87 and ICU by 3. These are the figures we need to keep the closest eye on, in conjunction with all the other figures available to us. This is what creates the bigger picture.

Donut days are certainly a thing of the past!

Out xo

07/01/2022

Yep, it's a huge number, however, it also has a number of reported RAT's on there from days before yesterday that have been reported.

26,428 of these were from RATS and 24,928 from PCR - see image in comments for more detail.

There is no data available yet on hospital numbers and ICU/ventilation changes.

A figure worth noting is that in the article below - 0% of people in ICU are fully vaxxed showing that people who are double vaxxed are catching it, but they are not getting the severe illness with it.

Out xo

07/01/2022

Here it is... the form for reporting your positive RATs...

Out xo

06/01/2022

Almost identical numbers to yesterday; however, in saying that, the amount of people I know who have tested positive on a RAT and not had a PCR, thus won't be showing in the numbers, leads me to think that the numbers could seriously be double what we are seeing.

Hospital numbers rose 13 which at this point is not as bad as it could potentially be, but if we look at the trends of NSW who recorded 38,417 new cases today, this will get worse I imagine - their hospital admissions went up 129, but are projected to go up around 400 per day in a fortnight. They are also looking at adding new restrictions today to try to slow this down.

Whilst we will all likely get this at some point, it doesn't mean that we actually WANT to get it. The prospect is certainly less scary for many than it was in the past with this strain though.

I think we have to keep living, but we need to still consider how we live, and what level of risk we are willing to expose ourselves to. This will be different for everyone.

I'll let you know if anything exciting some to light throughout the day.

Out xo

06/01/2022

Many people have asked if I have any figures on the vaxxed vs the unvaxxed in relation to hospital and ICU numbers.

So at the moment no, not for Victoria, but that’s a yes for NSW.

If Victoria release something similar, I’m sure Dr Sara will review it and if so I’ll share it.

Out xo

NSW Health has released their most recent COVID-19 weekly surveillance report for epidemiological week 50 ending December 18 2021.

Table 6 highlights the vaccination status of hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths spanning the period from 16 June to 18 December 2021.

It makes for interesting reading:

💥 63.7% of hospitalised patients have had no effective dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 7.4% were partially vaccinated, and 8.8% were fully vaccinated.

💥 70.5% of ICU admissions have had no effective dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 6.2% were partially vaccinated, and 5.8% were fully vaccinated.

💥 70.5% of deaths had no effective dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 12.9% were partially vaccinated, and 15.3% were fully vaccinated.

Just a reminder: the unvaccinated make up less than 5% of the adult population in NSW and are over represented in hospital admission, ICU and deaths.

Yes, the vaccine might not stop you from getting infected with omicron, but it’s going to reduce your risk of getting incredibly ill and contributing to hospital congestion.

Just in case anyone out there was sitting on the fence and wondering whether getting vaccinated was a good idea.

- Sara

Data:https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Documents/covid-19-surveillance-report-20211118.pdf

06/01/2022

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I agree, Rapid tests (home test kits) should be free and widely available to those who need them and so does the Victorian Government - which is why in the absence of a national approach Victoria is stepping up once again to deliver exactly that.

Victoria has stepped up and has ordered 44 million home test kits on the way by the end of January in lieu of the federal government refusing to act on this. We’ll have more to say shortly on their delivery.

Sadly, just like the huge delays in the vaccine rollout we faced with the Federal Government and the refusal to step up on other (many) fronts, Victoria has had to step up again and this time is securing our own Rapid Antigen Tests to help keep people safe.

Thankfully the Andrews Labor Government have ordered 44 million RATs, with more on the way in the coming months, as we move forward living with the virus.

I’ve no doubt many of you are frustrated and tired - but I want to thank you for your patience and kindness as we all continue to deal with a global pandemic.

It’s bloody tough but together and by getting vaccinated, we can and will get through this.

05/01/2022

21,997 cases in Victoria reported today - almost 4,500 more than yesterday’s figure - and the list of positive people I know continues to grow daily.

Thankfully the majority are not gravely ill - most don’t feel great, but it seems in the younger ones especially , that after 3-4 days they’re over the worst of it.

There are 40 more people in hospital than yesterday, however no additional cases in ICU - yet. I am watching NSW who are ahead of us in this s**t show, and their ICU numbers have doubled in the last week. Fingers crossed we can dodge that bullet.

Stay as vigilant as possible. And if you’re unwell, stay home unless you’re chasing a PCR test… yeah, good luck with that!

33.91% of all tests processed yesterday were positive - interesting to see how these numbers change as the backlog clears a little.

Out x

05/01/2022

This man backflips so often he should be called a gymnast, not a Prime Minister!

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has agreed to make rapid antigen tests free, in a massive backflip, after a meeting of national cabinet.

04/01/2022

Numbers have jumped again in both Victoria and NSW - not alarming in isolation (pardon the pun), but concerning that there have been another 75 people been admitted to hospital in Victoria, and another 142 in NSW. Most in normal wards, not ICU, pointing at the severity of the variant, however, if numbers continue to go up like this every day, the effects on our already struggling and overworked healthcare system are going to be diabolical.

This is where the concern lies, not in the raw numbers - before anyone decides to tell me that we should stop focusing on the case numbers and only look at hospital admissions.

They are all wrapped up to form one big picture - neither should be considered without the other.

One of my friends daughters is currently positive - one of the oodles I know at the moment sadly, and this is her advice for those finding out they are positive, or wanting to prepare for the inevitable...

*********
If I can give any advice when having a covid positive person in the house I’d say make sure you have: sanitiser, disinfectant spray, disposable gloves, lots of tissues, garbage bags (disposal in room for tissues/masks), lots of masks, lots of Panadol, vitamins for immune system (vit c, echinacea and garlic), keep windows open (windows even open over night) and patience. I would add rat tests for close contacts but hmmm good luck with that.
*********

If you have symptoms, stay home and isolate and if at all possible (insert a huge sigh here) get a RAT or PCR test.

Out x

04/01/2022

Ahhhh COVID… how I hate thee!

I know countless people with COViD at the moment with a varying range of symptoms and level of illness.

It’s running rampant - there’s no doubt about that.

The two media sites I visit myself are COVID Pete on FB and Jacqui Felgate on Instagram, and theyve both had COVID the past few weeks. I’m praying I’m not the things happen in 3’s person!

There’s been a lot of talk and frustration about testing - both PCR and RAT. I feel it too. There’s also been chatter in the media about tightening of restrictions and/or lockdowns. I have taken screen shots from COVID Pete’s page to share, as honestly, his frustration mirrors a lot of what I’m - and friends - are feeling TBH.

I know we have to live with this thing but FFS… why does it feel like we are back at the beginning flying blind again?

The numbers we are seeing aren’t fully representative of what’s happening as there is a huge lag, plus not everyone is being tested as they can’t get a test. And many taking RATs aren’t recorded.

Also it’s true that the hospital numbers aren’t growing at the same rate as they were per Delta infection - for all those that are about to say that - but with these daily numbers set to increase exponentially, we are still putting a HUGE strain on our medical system from testers through to hospitals.

Anyway, those of you positive at the moment, I hope you’re coping ok. Those in isolation, hope you can get the tests you need. And for those feeling frustrated… I get it!

Out xo

30/12/2021

Heading this up with a disclaimer that there is no blame being laid here anywhere…. It’s just a WOW moment. Another one! Been too many of these recently.

And just like that, NSW flies past Victoria for number of total cases ever.

The highest number of daily cases in Australia as a total was yesterday with 21,240 - almost taken care of by NSW today alone.

Their hospital numbers and ICU numbers have increased slightly however interestingly Victoria still has a much higher number of patients in ICU - 2.1% of those in hospital in NSW are in ICU vs 7.71% in Victoria.

These numbers are staggering… yet we are relaxing so many rules around close contacts and isolation periods etc. My brain is confused! The suggestion ‘we are all going to get this at some point’ has been bandied around a lot, but I now actually truly believe this to be the case.

Do these numbers change anyone’s plans for New Years Eve? Or are you at the point of just not caring now?

Whatever you have planned, I hope it sees you enter a 2022 that surpasses your expectations. I remember the hope I held for 2021, and well… here we are… so I’m stepping into the new year with a level of trepidation and no expectations!

Stay safe all.

Out xo

28/12/2021

Well that escalated quickly, didn’t it?

I have been sitting here watching the numbers across the country grow daily, but seeing hospital rates not grow at the same rate, I have not been feeling as panicked about it as I may have been in the past.

But today NSW have single handedly surpassed the highest number we have ever recorded as an entire country - yesterday we recorded 11,189 cases - and all I can do is say wow. Also by far the highest number Victoria has ever recorded.

I do wonder how many of these are people were asymptomatic and testing for travel requirements. If this is the case, maybe the numbers have been far greater all along?

It certainly seems more likely that we will all get Covid at some point but where possible we still need to remain as vigilant as possible.

Out xo

22/12/2021

Today is the highest number of Covid 19 cases ever recorded across Australia.

National cabinet currently meeting.

Our numbers in Victoria remain stable.

Good luck to anyone trying ti get tested today - hearing it’s busier there than Chadstone…. nah kidding…. I’m sure Chadstone still wins 😂😂😂

Out xo

19/12/2021

It's been a while guys!

I'm still here fighting the good fight.... ok, truthfully some days I am truly just sick of the word COVID.... but I'm still looking to see what's happening.

I read this article today and it made me a little sad. Many are predicting that 2022 isn't going to look a whole lot brighter than 2020 and 2021 - insert tears - but really who knows.

Europe are in the depths of winter so will we eventually fall as deeply as they are?

I must say watching Sydenys numbers grow so rapidly has been scary, whilst Melbourne flits within the same 1,000-1,500 daily cases, give a few here and there either side.

I will continue to watch our numbers with interest now that school has broken up for the year and many cases were connected to this. But then add many family gatherings and social events, and numbers may not waiver much at all.

I know a growing number of people now who have had COVID and feel that this list will expand over the coming weeks.

Take care all.... and stay safe OK?

Out xo

The Netherlands bans Christmas gatherings, Paris cancels its New Year's Eve fireworks, and London declares COVID-19 a major incident as Europe battles the "lightning" spread of the Omicron variant.

02/12/2021

Morning groovers!

The below came up in my feed this morning and I couldn't stop laughing!

Hope you're all doing OK out there. The daily numbers are jumping all over the place still; experts are suggesting that they will drop once school breaks up as a large part of the numbers apparently relate to young kids who can't vaccinate and are transmitting in schools.

It's only two more weeks til the last of schools break up - and I no longer have a primary school kid - so I guess we will see after that.

Keep punching team.

Out xo

28/11/2021

Here we go again… gah.

Ain’t nobody got time for this…!!!

18/11/2021

Thursday 18th November 2021
**********************************
So much to be proud of today.

From tomorrow we learn to live with COVID-19 in a reasonably normal set of circumstances.

As of 11.59pm tonight, almost all restrictions will be removed for fully vaccinated Victorians.

This means no density quotients, no number caps on anything, dancefloors can reopen, and you can stand up and have a drink at the pub. If, of course, you are fully vaccinated. You must also be fully vaccinated to enter non-essential retail… so get shopping today if you are not, I guess.

Masks will still be required in high-risk settings like aged care and healthcare as was previously flagged. Until mid-December, we will also still need to wear masks in retail environments. Also required for serving staff in hospitality venues. Transport, taxis, ride share and planes, as well as high risk workplaces.

Rapid antigen testing will be a huge feature of how we move forward in coming months. There are changes about contact with positive cases, including close contacts will need to have a test and then wait for the result. If negative, you’re free to go about your business. If you become positive, you must let your employer know.
I will find a link to all of this information when one becomes available.

There are currently 5,036,790 Victorians are fully vaccinated with both doses. There are still more getting vaccinated each day and this work will continue.

FROM ME:
************
So, there you have it… earlier than suggested but welcomed just the same.

Tomorrow is day 1 of the rest of our lives.

It feels almost anti-climactic to me. Maybe I am just tired and jaded?

For me it will be the little things, like not having to consider numbers in attendance for sport, household functions etc.
I was never dumping my mask in retail or close indoor settings anyway as I am desperate to draw a negative test late December to head away to QLD.

There are still people getting unwell and those going to hospital, and still too many dying, so stay cautious all. But eat the cake, love the people and enjoy your life because we now know what it’s like without the choice to do so.

Out xo

08/11/2021

Everything is holding pretty steady.... hospital numbers did rise yesterday by 23 after heading down. Hopefully, this stabilises again.

Not really a lot to report.

I think I may well file for redundancy!

Out xo

07/11/2021

Stability in the numbers - a slight drop but also a few less tests.

All the hospital numbers are slowly dropping too.

Being that we have been open now for 10 days, it’s pleasing to see that numbers haven’t increased.

6% to go until we reach 90% double dose 12+… still saying 23/11.

Have a great week guys.

Out xo