There were 22,281 COVID-19 cases reported in Victoria this week, an increase of 9.5 per cent on the previous week. The average daily number of new cases this week was 3,183, up from 2,914 last week.
The number of active cases in Victoria on Friday was 19,460, up from 18,150 the same time last week.
The seven-day rolling average of patients with COVID in Victorian hospitals is 430, a 22.2 per cent increase when compared to the same time last week. There are currently 483 COVID patients in Victorian hospitals, including 19 COVID patients in intensive care and 0 cleared cases in intensive care. There are 2 COVID patients on a ventilator. The seven-day rolling average of patients in intensive care in Victorian hospitals is 15.
In the past three months, 3,299 COVID patients were hospitalised in Victoria. 40.5 per cent of those patients had not received their third vaccine dose. 959 (29 per cent) were unvaccinated, 27 had received one dose, 351 had two doses, 787 had received three doses and 1,175 had received four doses.
Of Victorians aged 50 to 64 years, 79.9 per cent have had their third dose and 30.2 per cent have had their recommended fourth dose. Of those aged over 65, 90.8 per cent have had their third dose and 67.3 per cent have had their fourth dose. 70.2 per cent of people aged 16 and over in Victoria have had three doses of COVID vaccine.
A total of 68 COVID related deaths were reported to the Department in the past week. An average of 10 deaths were reported each day in the past week. There has been a 30.5 per cent decrease in the number of COVID related deaths in the past month when compared to the previous month.
In the past three months, there have been 644 COVID-related deaths in Victoria. Of those deaths, 46.3 per cent had not received their third COVID vaccine dose. 252 (39.1 per cent) were unvaccinated, 3 had received one dose, 43 had two doses, 116 had received three doses and 230 had received four doses.
The total number of COVID-related deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began is 5,993. The number of COVID-related deaths recorded in Victoria so far this year is 4,385.
COVID-19 epidemiological summary
COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations in Victoria increased again this week. Current growth is being driven by a mixture of new Omicron subvariants, which are more immune evasive and are responding to waning immunity from past infection and past vaccination.
The mix of subvariants include recombinant strains such as the recently identified XBF (a combination of BA.2.75 and BA.5) as well as existing subvariants BQ.1/BQ.1.1, BA 2.75 and the XBB recombinant.
These subvariants became dominant in clinical genomics and wastewater surveillance after overtaking BA.4 and BA.5 in early November.
There is no evidence these subvariants cause more severe disease or are resistant to oral antiviral treatments.
However, increased numbers overall have contributed to increased hospitalisation rates.
Some 87 per cent of Victorians aged over 12 have had no vaccine nor a COVID diagnosis within the past four months and are therefore more vulnerable to infection and hospitalisation.
Steps to protect yourself and others
Protecting yourself is the best way to protect yourself and the community. If you don't get COVID, you can't spread COVID.
These six steps can help you stay ahead of COVID this spring:
- Wear a mask: a high-quality and well-fitted mask can protect you from the virus
- Get your booster dose: new bivalent vaccines targeting Omicron variants are available at your GP or local pharmacy
- Let fresh air in: open windows and doors when you can, it reduces the spread of the virus
- Get tested: if you have symptoms, take a rapid antigen test
- Stay at home: if you have COVID, you should stay at home for at least 5 days and until you have no symptoms
- Talk to your doctor: if you are at risk of falling very sick, you may be eligible for COVID medicines.
State election
Options are available to vote if you are unwell on election day.
Drive-through voting is available for voters who have tested positive to COVID. The service is located at the former Bunnings site at 149 Barries Road, Melton West and is open from:
- 9 am to 5 pm Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
- 8 am to 6 pm Saturday 26 November
To use this drive-through voting centre, you must have a positive RAT or a text message from the Department of Health confirming a positive PCR result.
You must stay in your car and wear a mask while using the drive-through voting centre.
If you are feeling unwell but need to vote in person, remember to wear a fitted face mask such as an N95, KN95 or P2.
