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Summary of epidemiological week 4, ending 28 January 2023

COVID-19 Weekly Data Overview - Epidemiological week 4, ending 28 January 2023 [Issued 2 February 2023]

COVID-19 summary

  • Notifications of COVID-19 continue to decline however the rate of this reduction appears to be slowing and PCR positivity has stabilised. This indicates that we may be approaching the bottom of this wave.
  • XBF is now the most common variant circulating with BR.2 and other BA.2.75 sublineages including CH.1.1 also contributing to the variant mix.
  • There were 6,812 people diagnosed with COVID-19 this week, a decrease of 13.4% since the previous week. PCR testing for COVID-19 has decreased by 10.6% compared to the previous week. The proportion of PCR tests that were positive for COVID-19 is stable at around 9%.
  • The seven-day rolling average of daily hospital admissions decreased to an average of 39 admissions by the end of this week, compared with 48 admissions at the end of the previous week. There were 272 people with COVID-19 admitted to hospital and 28 people admitted to ICU this week.
  • Emergency department presentations for coronaviruses requiring an admission have decreased to 113 from 134 admissions in the previous week.
  • There were 86 COVID-19 deaths reported this week. Deaths may not have occurred in the week in which they were reported.

Other respiratory viruses summary

Influenza activity is currently at low levels with PCR positivity remaining below 2% for tests reported by the NSW sentinel laboratory network. Influenza activity in the northern hemisphere is falling following their early seasonal peak. Vaccination continues to be recommended.

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Current as at: Thursday 2 February 2023
Contact page owner: Health Protection NSW