“[The epidemiologists] say that this one is one of the most uncertain times to do modelling that they’ve ever worked in and that reflects the uncertainty of working with an evolving virus that continues to change,” he said.

“We need to keep making sure that people are getting vaccinated, particularly access to the boosters.

“People who are eligible for antivirals, making sure they get tested and get access to antivirals early in that symptom period.

“If you’re going out and about and you can’t physically distance, put a mask on, and if you’re sick, stay home.

“That prediction, that modelling is 1250 beds in two weeks, and 1660 beds in five weeks doesn’t have to be right.

“We can change that. We can save those beds, we can save people from going into hospital with COVID then we can save those beds for other episodes of care that people need.

So I’d ask you all just to do those four really simple things and hopefully we can turn this curve around and we can make sure it’s wrong.”

Those accessing antivirals, which became available on July 11, increased to 25 per cent increase in the past week.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said he was pleased with the rise of people getting their COVID-19 boosters in the past two weeks.

“So the messaging around this wave is certainly getting people to take action and to heed the messages that we’re giving,” he said.

“There’s also been an increase a significant increase in the number of antivirals dispensed, which show that also alleviate some of the load on hospitals.”