As weekly COVID case numbers drop off and the Omicron BA.2 peak passes, Illawarra's health authorities are urging people to stay vigilant against the virus.
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"Thousands of people are testing positive each day," the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District warned on Facebook this week.
"And sadly, people are still dying every day, leaving friends, families and communities behind."
In the first 12 days of April, there have already been eight deaths in the region from COVID-19, compared to just nine deaths in the whole of March.
In recent days, the case numbers in the Illawarra have dropped to under 1000, with 804 cases recorded on Tuesday.
However, statewide hospitalisations are on the rise - with 1584 COVID-19 patients in hospital, up from 1568 the previous day and 1467 a week ago. There are 70 people in intensive care.
According to Professor Kathy Eagar, the Director of the Australian Health Services Research Institute at the University of Wollongong, deaths lag cases by about four to six weeks.
The region's highest daily total of the BA.2 surge was 1463 on April 1 (this does not include figures from March 16, when extra RAT results which had not been recorded previously were counted), which means the region's death toll is likely to continue to rise this month.
As the Easter period begins, health authorities are asking people to remember hygiene and social distancing when catching up with their families and friends.
"We hope you will help us share with your community the importance of protecting yourself and your loved ones during the holidays," the district said.
"Remind your loved ones to stay COVID safe. We all need to think about protecting the people around us and most especially the older and more vulnerable members of our community.
"Although masks are not mandatory please wear them when you can, especially if you can't physically distance from others."
They also continue to urge people to get vaccination boosters. The uptake remains much lower than the two initial vaccination rounds, with just 65.2 per cent of the eligible population having had a third shot.
"The best way you and the community can stay safe is by being up to date with your vaccination, including getting a booster if you are due," the health district said.
Since the beginning of the month, people who are at risk of serious illness have been eligible for a fourth COVID-19 winter booster.
These include people aged 65 years or over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, aged care or disability care residents and those who are immunocompromised.
People can receive their winter COVID-19 vaccination four months after the first booster dose.
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