With the holiday season almost upon us COVID-19 seems to be rearing its ugly head at the worst possible time.

"We are currently experiencing a significant wave of transmission in Australia," said Associate Professor James Trauer, Head of the Epidemiological Modelling Unit for the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. 

"Testing has declined markedly and the daily number of cases doesn’t provide a clear picture of the extent of transmission any more. However, other data sources still give us a good sense, for example, wastewater surveillance and hospital admissions show a marked increase in infections over the last few months."

The latest NSW Respirator Surveillance Report for the fortnight ending on 18 November supports this, with transmission of COVID-19 across Western NSW rising in line with the rest of the state.

"COVID-19 activity increased across all indicators in the past fortnight," stated the report.

"The proportion of ED presentations for COVID19 requiring admission was stable suggesting no increase in disease severity."

So to stop it from ruining Christmas lunch, there are a few things you can do.

Prof Hauer says the emergence of new variants is also contributing to these ebbs and flows, making it more difficult to predict when they will peak.

“Because immunity after infection is so short-lived, our most important protection against the effects of Covid is immunity, which can be enhanced through vaccination," he said.

A spokesperson from the NSW Department of Health says boosters for older individuals, and wearing masks in high risk settings are a good place to start.

"Now is a good time to consider getting a COVID-19 booster shot for anyone aged 65 years and over, or at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, who hasn’t had one in the last six months," said the spokesperson.

"Everyone aged 65 years and over, and everyone aged 18 years and over at higher risk of severe COVID-19 should have at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose in 2023."

"Some people, including people at higher risk of severe illness, may choose to wear a mask to protect themselves, such as when in indoor settings or on public transport. Be kind and considerate of someone's choice to wear a mask."

Keeping up to date on the rules and regulations with covid is also important, to risk spreading the disease to those who may feel its impacts more severely.

"People with any cold or flu symptoms should stay at home. Staying home helps stop the spread of illness and protects others, including people who are at higher risk of severe illness," said the spokesperson.

"If people with symptoms need to leave home, we recommend they wear a mask, avoid gatherings, and don’t visit high risk settings like hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, or people who are at higher risk of severe illness."