Fewer Australians are getting tested for COVID-19 despite more people experiencing symptoms of the disease.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
There has been a 10 per cent increase in households experiencing cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms from April to July, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
It's the first time the ABS has included cold and flu questions in its survey. The survey found that 37 per cent of households have had job situations change because of common diseases, such as colds.
Meanwhile, the number of households that have been tested for COVID-19 has dropped by 14 per cent in the same period.
ABS head of household surveys David Zago, said the Household Impacts of COVID-19 survey, conducted between July 10 and July 30, 2022, showed 42 per cent of households experienced cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms. That was up from 32 per cent with symptoms in April 2022.
"However, only 48 per cent of households had a COVID-19 test in the past four weeks, down from 62 per cent in April."
Mr Zago said the number of positive COVID-19 tests has remained about the same from April to July.
Impact on work and school
Australians were also asked about how COVID-19 has impacted their household's working arrangements and school or childcare attendance.
"One in four Australians reported that the job situation of someone in their household had changed due to COVID-19 in the last four weeks - 23 per cent, up from 18 per cent in April," Mr Zago said.
Job situation changes include being unable to work for a period of time, changing to working from home and working reduced hours.
Fewer family households reported their children's school or childcare attendance was impacted by COVID-19 from April to July. That was a drop of 15 per cent.
Meanwhile, one in five (21 per cent) households with children reported their child's school or childcare attendance was impacted by a cold or flu.