Victoria close to Omicron case peak as 22,429 infections recorded

Victoria’s chief health officer has revealed when the state could reach its Omicron peak but made a grim warning about hospitalisations.

Victoria is nearing its peak of Omicron cases with the state’s chief health officer Brett Sutton predicting infections may flatten and then fall within weeks.

Cases have been on a steep climb since the variant exploded last month, with the state recording 22,429 infections and six deaths alone on Monday.

However, Professor Sutton said there were promising signs Victoria may be on the verge of overcoming the outbreak.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty but I do think we’re reasonably close to peak, if we’re not at a peak already,” Professor Sutton said.

CHO Brett Sutton said he believed cases in Victoria would soon peak. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

It comes after Australia’s chief medical officer Paul Kelly predicted there would be large numbers of cases over the next few weeks before infections plateaued.

Data around the world has shown countries of South Africa, the UK and some US states are already seeing a drop in cases.

It’s anticipated most Australian states, aside from WA, will see a peak in cases in the coming weeks and then a down swing from then on.

But Professor Sutton said he expected hospitalisations would rise in Victoria through January, before peaking in February.

“Those hospital numbers are going to increase, there’s a lag compared to our daily case numbers and over the next few weeks we will see hospital numbers go up,” he said.

“We really need to make sure we’re protecting each and every single person who is eligible for a booster to avoid hospital.”

Millions of rapid antigen tests have been sent to critical workforces and vulnerable populations. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Meanwhile, millions of vital rapid antigen tests are being sent to critical workforces and vulnerable populations in Victoria to support Victorians amid the anticipated rise in cases.

Around three million RATs arrived on Monday from the state’s bulk order of 44 million.

Professor Sutton said Victoria was the first state to distribute the tests for free.

“It’s great to see Victoria has really taken charge,” he said.

“It has given us a really useful picture of how much Covid is out there.”

Three million tests will be rolled out to critical sectors. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Tests will be distributed to high-risk workforces, including healthcare and other critical workforces.

Some tests will also be given to community groups and multicultural associations to help tackle outbreaks.

Vulnerable Victorians including those susceptible to severe illness will also be prioritised.

Last week, more than 400,000 RATs were distributed to more than 60 state PCR testing centres.

Since the RAT reporting system opened on January 7, 145,580 Victorians have reported a positive result either via the coronavirus website or by phone.

Rapid antigen tests have sold out in most chemists in Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

But the peak body representing pharmacies in Victoria has maintained the tests would do little to help struggling chemists.

Pharmacies in the state are struggling to stay open amid a shortage of RATs and staff being struck down by Covid or isolation requirements.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian branch president Anthony Tassone said despite being classified as a critical industry by national cabinet, they didn’t come under state rules and were left out.

He said pharmacies were struggling to find RATs to sell and chemists had been forced to use the very few kits received to test staff and remain open.

“It’s never been more challenging and pharmacies are doing their absolute best to provide their usual services, prescription medicines and healthcare advice, along with extra services such as Covid-19 vaccinations, booster doses and even the paediatric Pfizer rollout,” he told The Age.

“It’s extremely tough and they’re doing whatever they can to keep their doors open.”

We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.

Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.

More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAcOZP#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/HhVK1H0eA5

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) January 16, 2022

Victoria on Monday recorded 1229 hospitalisations.

Officials reported 129 people were in intensive care, with 38 on a ventilator.

According to department figures, 24 per cent of Victorians have received three doses of a Covid vaccine.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has again urged Victorians to get their third boost. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

On Saturday, Victoria surpassed a grim milestone with more than 1000 people in hospital with the virus after the state recorded 25,526 new cases and 23 deaths.

Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the state had “unfortunately and sadly” surpassed 1000 hospitalised patients on Friday but Saturday’s figures meant it had reached its highest number of hospitalisations since the pandemic began.

“This again highlights how transmissible Omicron is but also how avoidable it is,” he said. “Less than half of people in hospital were not fully vaccinated.”

Originally published as Victoria close to Omicron case peak as 22,429 infections recorded