General News
28 November, 2024
Health warning over COVID surge as festive season gatherings get underway
COVID-19 hospitalisations increase amid a 'summer wave'.
A surge of COVID infections and hospitalisations across Victoria has prompted a warning from health authorities as festive season gatherings begin.
During the past seven days there have been an average of 194 people hospitalised with COVID-19, up about 12 per cent compared to the previous week.
The number of laboratory-confirmed cases have jumped 10 per cent over the past week, and 63 per cent over the past month, but the actual number is likely to be much higher as most cases now go unreported.
"Victoria is currently experiencing increased COVID-19 infections in the community, which is resulting in an increase of people being hospitalised with COVID-19," Victoria's chief health officer Dr Clare Looker said in a statement. "This occurs at a time Victorians are planning increased gatherings in the lead-up to the holiday period."
She urged anyone unwell with cold or flu symptoms to stay home and test if they have symptoms.
If you test positive and are eligible for antivirals, you should take them as soon as possible, and stay home until you have no symptoms.
Wearing a mask can help protect you and others from the virus, and free vaccinations are still available. Boosters are available every six months for people aged over 75, and it is recommended that other groups get a booster each year.
Dr Looker urged people to be mindful of those at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 including those aged 65 and over, people with a disability or chronic medical condition, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In Australia, the JN.1 and associated variants, particularly KP.3, are responsible for most COVID infections, but the number of XEC infections is growing - with all three being descendants of the original Omicron virus.
XEC was first detected in Europe in May.