Greater Geelong Covid-related ICU tally drops from six to five on Sunday
Geelong’s tally for Covid-related ICU patients has dropped just a day after a record-high daily increase for the Barwon South West region.
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Barwon South West region daily Covid numbers dipped on Sunday, but case numbers across the state continued to climb.
State health authorities reported Greater Geelong had 108 new cases, while Surf Coast, Colac-Otway and Golden Plains shires recorded 20, eight and three new cases respectively.
The Borough of Queenscliffe did not record a new case.
It’s understood demand for testing across the region remained high, however many testing sites were closed on New Year’s Day.
Barwon South West public health unit director Prof Eugene Athan said there were no new Covid-19 deaths at Geelong over the weekend.
“As of 9am this morning there were 25 patients in University Hospital Geelong with Covid-
19, five of whom are in ICU,” he said on Sunday.
“The average age of all inpatients is 52.”
Prof Athan urged members of the public to book in their boosters when eligible.
“Getting vaccinated is an important defence against COVID-19. I urge anyone who had their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than four months ago that they are now due for their booster and to book in as soon as possible,” he said.
“The booster vaccine will provide significant additional protection against all strains of the virus, including Omicron.”
It comes as Victoria recorded 7172 new cases.
Geelong reports 225 new cases on New Year’s Day
Greater Geelong has reported 225 new coronavirus cases in another record breaking daily tally.
Surf Coast and Colac Otway Shire recorded 34 and 21 new cases respectively.
Five new infections were reported in the Golden Plains Shire and five in the Borough of Queenscliffe, according to state health data.
Statewide Victoria recorded 7442 new cases and nine deaths.
Barwon South West Public Health director Prof Eugene Athan confirmed there had been no Covid-19 deaths in Geelong overnight.
“As of 9am this morning there were 27 patients in University Hospital Geelong with COVID-
19, 6 of whom are in ICU,” he said.
“The number of people in ICU has remained steady. The average age of all in-patients is 52.”
Prof Athan urged members of the public to book in their boosters when eligible.
Getting vaccinated is an important defence against COVID-19. I urge anyone who had their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than four months that they are now due for
their booster and to book in as soon as possible,” he said.
“The booster vaccine will provide significant additional protection against all strains of the
virus, including Omicron.”
To check holiday opening hours in the region, check the Barwon Health website barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus/where-to-get-tested
Record Covid cases in Geelong, testing site hits capacity
Greater Geelong has recorded its highest daily increase of Covid-19 cases since the start of pandemic as residents continue to struggle to get tested.
Authorities announced on Friday that Greater Geelong had recorded 130 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of active cases in the region to 652.
The Surf Coast region recorded 31 new cases, two new cases were recorded in the Borough of Queenscliffe and 31 were recorded in the Colac Otway Shire.
By early Friday the region’s PCR testing stations were struggling to cope, with Barwon Health North reaching capacity before midday.
“Barwon Health North has reached capacity for today,” Barwon Health said on social media.
“Limited testing will be available in the afternoon, with health and emergency service workers prioritised.
“Testing will resume tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding during the heat.”
Across the state, 5919 new cases and seven deaths were announced on Friday.
Who is getting Covid in Geelong
More than 80 per cent of the region’s active coronavirus infections are occurring in people under the age 50.
The Barwon Health statistics comes as Greater Geelong recorded 101 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday.
A further 16 new cases were recorded in the Surf Coast, three new cases were recorded in the Borough of Queenscliff and 18 in the Colac Otway Shire.
It comes as 5137 cases and 13 Covid-19 related deaths were recorded across the state.
Barwon South West public health unit director Professor Eugene Athan said there were no coronavirus deaths at Geelong hospital overnight on Wednesday.
As of 9am Thursday there were 24 patients in University Hospital Geelong with Covid-
19, 6 of whom are in ICU. The average age of these patients is 52.
Victoria’s Department of Health warned on Thursday that the state’s already overstretched testing system could be impacted by a heatwave over the New Year period.
Authorities warned some testing centres, particularly those operating from outdoor tents, may have to be closed.
Temperatures inside the tents can rise as much as 10 degrees higher than outside in addition to staff working in full PPE.
Barwon Health said its Facebook page would be updated if sites needed to close.
“Demand for Covid testing remains strong,” Prof Athan said.
“With extreme heat forecast for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, drive through testing sites may be required to close early or make alternative arrangements.
“If you have to get tested, because you have symptoms or you’re a contact, and you are unable to access a testing site, you should stay isolated until you can.”
Statewide, there are now 395 infected people in Victorian hospitals, with 55 active in intensive care and 23 on ventilators.
More than 92 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated and the state has 23,833 active cases.
A total of 81,093 tests were taken on Wednesday and 3775 vaccines were administered at state hubs.
Anyone who is eligible for the Covid-19 booster shot is urged to make any appointment.
“Getting vaccinated is an important defence against Covid-19,” Prof Athan said.
“I urge anyone who had their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine more than four months that they are now due for their booster and to book in as soon as possible.
“The booster vaccine will provide significant additional protection against all strains of the virus, including Omicron.”
Appointments can be made by calling 1800 675 398 or booking online via portal.cvms.vic.gov.au
Omicron cases ‘growing’ as Geelong hits record spike
Barwon Health has warned Geelong’s Omicron cases are ‘growing’ after the municipality recorded its highest ever daily increase of Covid-19 cases.
The city reported 115 cases in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday afternoon.
State government data revealed Surf Coast recorded 13 new cases, while five and 10 new coronavirus cases were reported in Golden Plains and Colac Otway shires respectively.
Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan confirmed the number of hospitalisations had remained steady despite the rise in cases.
“Though it is unclear how many Covid cases are the Omicron variant in the Geelong
region, we believe cases are growing and it will become the more dominant strain,” he said.
“With cases growing across the region, Barwon Health has robust plans in place to manage
any increase in people requiring hospitalisation.”
Prof Athan said 21 people were being treated with Covid-19 in Geelong, a third of which were unvaccinated.
“I urge anyone who had their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than four months that they are now due for their booster and to book in as soon as possible,” he said.
The booster vaccine will provide significant additional protection against all strains of the virus, including Omicron
The increase comes amid Victoria’s 3767 new locally acquired coronavirus cases, the largest daily increase since the beginning of the pandemic.
New South Wales set a national record of 11,201 cases on Wednesday, Queensland also recorded 1589 new cases, while South Australia notched 1471.
But Australia’s chief medical officer Paul Kelly said it now appeared “very likely” that the Omicron variant is less severe than other forms of the virus, including Delta.
“How much less is an open question,” he said.
“I’ve seen estimates from 15 per cent less severe to 80 per cent less severe … That is still information that we’re looking at.”
Hospitalisations in Victoria have remained stable, with 397 people currently battling the virus, including 106 in ICU.
Of the 61 ICU patients in New South Wales, two thirds are not vaccinated.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s hospital systems had “ample capacity” to deal with the new variant.
“We of course will continue to see cases rise, but those cases are not translating into the sort of serious disease,” he said.
“As Omicron continues to go forward we will see further pressures, but states and territories are working very closely on their plans to deal with those challenges.”
Health Minister Martin Foley on Wednesday committed to rolling out free rapid antigen tests at a state level.
“That will be part of a process that has fallen to the states,” he said.
“We would much prefer a national approach … failing that, as per usual the states have had to step up.”
The Norlane Community Vaccination hub has bookings available from next week, and can be made by calling 1800 675 398 or booking online via portal.cvms.vic.gov.au.
Geelong hospital records latest Covid death
An unvaccinated man has died due to Covid at Geelong hospital.
Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the Melbourne man, aged in his 60s, died overnight Monday.
As of 9am Tuesday there were 21 patients in University Hospital Geelong with Covid, including seven in ICU.
Greater Geelong recorded 33 new Covid cases and the Surf Coast six.
Seven new cases were reported for Colac-Otway and three for Golden Plains.
Victoria reported a record high number of new daily cases, with 2738 on Tuesday.
The state reported four deaths.
Geelong swab sites under pressure
Demand for testing remained strong across the festive period as coronavirus cases in the Barwon South West region spiked on Monday.
Greater Geelong recorded 63 new Covid-19 cases, as of Monday, with 12 new cases recorded in the Surf Coast.
A further two cases were recorded in the Borough of Queenscliffe and four were recorded in the Colac-Otway Shire
Queues at local testing sites were long by early morning, with the Torquay site closed after reaching capacity limits by 8.30am on Monday.
Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said there was an increase in people seeking Covid-19 testing during the holiday period, with Barwon Health testing around 1200 people on Boxing Day.
“We urge anyone with symptoms to get tested. Barwon Health North is prioritising people who have symptoms,” she said.
As of 9am Monday, there were 18 patients in Geelong hospital with Covid-19, including seven in ICU. The average age of these patients is 52.
There were no coronavirus related deaths recorded at Geelong hospital overnight on Sunday.
Community Care Chemist chief executive officer Nick Salkeld said demand for at home Rapid Antigen Tests was “extremely high” as residents scrambled to self-test ahead of social gatherings.
“Stock is currently limited with further bulk orders due in pharmacies from mid this week,” he said.
“Anecdotally, feedback from some patients (is that) attendance at holiday gatherings predicated on a negative RAT.
“One in two inquiries to pharmacies for the past week have centred around booking Covax boosters, (following) the recent changes in timing for dosing – or the availability of RATs.”
Across the state, 1999 new infections and three Covid-19 related deaths were announced on Monday.
Currently, 368 people are hospitalised with 80 of those in intensive care and 38 on ventilators.
A total of 57,818 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.
There are now 16,467 reported active cases within the community.
It comes after 1608 new cases and two deaths were recorded on Boxing Day, which decreased from 2108 cases and six deaths on Christmas.
Ms Bibby said the Community Vaccination Hub at Norlane would open from December 29 to January 31 for vaccine appointments, including boosters.
“We urge anyone who had their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine more than four months
to book in their booster as soon as possible,” she said.
Originally published as Greater Geelong Covid-related ICU tally drops from six to five on Sunday
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