COVID-19 may be a distant memory for many Australians, now life has returned to its normal pace. However, this year alone 1339 Australians have died from the disease, according to current Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. 

New South Wales proved the deadliest in the country, recording 488 deaths this year. Victoria and Queensland followed, with 308 and 250 deaths respectively.

Mortalities of people aged 80–89 were 41 per cent of the total, with mortalities in the 90+ age range forming 32 per cent of all COVID-19 caused deaths this year, meaning 73 per cent were aged 80+.

The death rate has slowed compared to 2024, where 3178 mortalities were recorded from January to August. But could more be done to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities from getting sick?

According to the Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report, COVID-19 is more likely to cause death in older groups than younger groups, but the elderly are not the only people at risk of infection. 

Curtin University professor of international health Jaya Dantas said people over the age of 70, young children, those with autoimmune conditions and people undergoing treatment are vulnerable to contracting coronavirus. 

“When the immune system in the body is compromised, you’re more susceptible to a host of infections, including COVID,” she said.

“Infants, up to the age of four can actually become very sick … with respect to COVID and influenza. It can lead to severe pneumonia and then they require hospitalisation.” 

Across WA, residents in aged care homes are still catching the virus, with a peak of 118 cases being recorded in June. Despite the severity of the disease reducing since pandemic figures, COVID-19 remains as infectious as it was in 2020. 

Professor Dantas said during the pandemic, infection was worrying, and COVID-19 rates were high because people were testing. 

“Testing has reduced but it’s still there in the community. If you stop testing, you wouldn’t know that [COVID-19] is what you have. That becomes an issue,” she said. 

WA’s free Rapid Antigen Test program ended in 2023; however, tests are still available to purchase through pharmacies and other retailers. 

General Practitioner Doctor Francis Cheng picks up “around one COVID infection every four to six weeks.” He said it’s difficult for patients to identify whether they have COVID-19 or other respiratory infections, as symptoms are similar.

“When I see patients with a respiratory illness, I commonly send [them] for PCR testing which checks for a variety of respiratory viruses, including COVID,” Dr Cheng said.  

A GP’s referral is required for a PCR test, which is Medicare-funded. 

According to the Federal Government, in the last six months, 1.9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to Australians over 18 years old. However, very few of these people were aged 18-29, with most people receiving vaccinations being 65 years and older. 

Do young people need to be keeping up to date with their boosters to stop the spread?

Senior vice president of the Pharmacy Guild (WA) Natalie Willis said COVID-19 immunity was not long lasting and diminished over time as the virus mutates. 

“Newer versions of the vaccine have proven to be more effective, so if you’ve only had a primary course, now might be time for a booster,” she said.

A recent study from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia has revealed older people who received a COVID-19 vaccine booster in the past six months were half as likely to die from coronavirus compared to those who received the booster more than a year ago.

Ms Willis said people who were not overly unwell when they were sick with COVID-19 may not see the disease as a threat to them; however, people are unaware of what other health conditions can be triggered by contracting a virus. 

“Long COVID can be very debilitating and can even occur with mild illness. Getting vaccinated is the best form of protection,” she said. 

To reduce your risk of infection, Ms Willis recommended practising good hand hygiene, keeping up healthy habits, and considering taking supplements that support the immune system during prevalent time periods (June and December). 

Dr Cheng recommended not sharing towels and household items with someone who was sick and avoiding seeing immuno-compromised people when you are unwell.