University of Melbourne epidemiologist Tony Blakely estimates there could be 100 coronavirus-related hospitalisations in NSW for every 1000 cases of the omicron strain.
This could begin as soon as 10 days from today, but Professor Blakely says the estimate ranges, with the potential for just 50 cases for every 1000.
Professor Blakely says more work needed to be done to take pressure off health systems, including calling for people to stay at home as much as possible.
If that doesn’t have an impact, then stay-at-home orders may be needed to help the health system cope with overwhelming demand.
“There’s that famous L word, the lockdown; you can never say never,” Professor Blakely says.
But he says his estimate could be off, with the potential for just 50 cases for every 1000.
Earlier in December, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard pointed to modelling which predicted the state could see 25,000 infections per day by January.
Professor Blakely says the health system would be stretched once cases passed 20,000 per day.
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