Coronavirus is back in the news, with some countries seeing a significant spike in case numbers.

Australia, although coming into its summer season, is proving that the pandemic truly isn't over, as the government considers reintroducing some restrictions.

Calling in from Melbourne, Prof O'Neill told The Pat Kenny Show that many people there have been "quite surprised" at the rapid change, considering how well the country fared comparatively to others.

Victoria saw a 63% increase in case numbers, with New South Wales recording a tripling of cases.

"Unlike in Ireland, COVID is hitting the headlines here very much", he said.

Prof O'Neill explained that most patients have the "much more contagious" XBB and BQ1 variants, which were also circulating in Ireland.

"Mercifully, not causing as much severe disease, but still force of numbers mean that you still will see more people in hospital."

Strict lockdown

Melbourne's 262-day lockdown was "one of the strictest lockdowns in the world" and Prof O'Neill said that some of his Australian friends are "still reeling" from it.

"That might have meant less natural infection was building up then because the lockdown was so strict."

Australia's death rate was only a third of what it was in Ireland.

Masks?

Now, the government there is trying to encourage the public to keep getting booster vaccinations.

"All over the media here is, 'Please turn up for your boosters if you're over 50.'"

"Some are on their fourth and fifth shot actually, depending on which part of Australia you're in."

Melbourne no longer has any restrictions in place, however that may change.

Along with the communications campaign, Australia is considering reintroducing masks.

"They're quite surprised at the rate at which this increase is happening."

Main image shows Prof Luke O'Neill is seen in Newstalk studios in Dublin. Picture by: Rory Walsh/Newstalk