Victoria records 1189 new cases as Omicron variant spreads

Victoria has recorded three fresh cases of the highly contagious Omicron variant as the number of daily Covid infections remains stubbornly high.

Victoria has three fresh cases of the highly contagious Omicron variant as case numbers of the new strain continue to rise across the country.

Victoria’s Department of Health is investigating the new cases, which are linked to a flight arriving in Melbourne from Dubai on November 30.

Two of the new positive cases are returned travellers who were on the flight, while the other new case is a household contact of a previously confirmed case.

It brings the total number of confirmed cases to six.

Genomic sequencing is also under way to confirm the variant for nine other probable cases who have tested positive for Covid-19.

Victoria is set to scrap a major mask rule in some settings within days as the state recorded 1189 new Covid-19 cases and six more deaths on Tuesday.

The state now had 11,051 active infections, the health department announced.

There are 364 people in hospital with the virus and 80 in intensive care. Of these, 44 require a ventilator to breathe.

Premier Daniel Andrews extended Victoria’s state of emergency due to the pandemic. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

In a major announcement expected this week, Victoria will soon scrap its controversial mask rules in retail settings, providing hospitalisations remain stable.

It will bring the state into line with NSW, where people no longer have to wear masks in retail stores.

The change is expected to come in on December 15 when the state of emergency expires and the state’s new pandemic laws set in.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews last month flagged the change.

“Unless our health services see a significant jump in hospitalisations, customers for retail will no longer need to wear masks after 15 December – in line with NSW settings,” he said last month.

Hospitalisations in the state have remained steady despite restrictions easing significantly and people now allowed to mingle in bars, restaurants, public places and shopping centres since lockdown ended.

Hospital numbers have remained between the 300 and 400 mark weekly throughout November and December, with ICU admissions remaining under 100.

There were 54,467 tests conducted on Monday, while 92 per cent of Victoria’s population aged 12 plus were now fully vaccinated.

Originally published as Victoria records 1189 new cases as Omicron variant spreads