Covid cases are rising again in Victoria, after a consistent, recent downwards trend

The mutant Omicron strain XBB.1.5, known as Kraken, has surged hugely in the past week. And unfortunately overall Covid cases are also, again, on the rise.

Covid cases are rising again in Victoria, after a consistent, recent downwards trend. Picture: David Crosling

The mutant, highly contagious Covid strain XBB.1.5 - known as Kraken - has surged hugely in the past week, to now make up 38 per cent of all Victorian wastewater detections.

And overall Covid cases are also on the rise, following a recent downwards trend.

Victorian Covid cases have increased by more than 10 per cent since last week.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said the Omicron recombinant strain XBB.1.5 had this week overtaken the previously dominant strain XBF, which was now sitting at 30 per cent.

These were followed by the BA.2.75 strain at 16 per cent and the BQ.1/BQ.1.1 strains at two per cent.

A group of variants that include those at low levels and those which cannot be classified due to new mutations make up 13 per cent of detections.

Last week Prof Sutton said: “The implications of the increasing prevalence of XBB.1.5 upon the timing and scale of a future wave remain uncertain”.

The highly transmissible and immunity-dodging XBB.1.5 strain, nicknamed Covid Kraken, is sweeping America.

Professor Sutton said the Department of Health continued to monitor wastewater trends and newly emerging variants.

There had been a significant increase in the number of Covid vaccination boosters administered in Victoria, with more than 3000 jabs of the new bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine given since the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) updated its booster advice, he said.

The mutant, highly contagious Covid strain XBB.1.5 - known as Kraken - has surged hugely in the past week. Picture: David Crosling

Prof Sutton said there were 3,319 Covid cases reported in Victoria this week, an increase of 10.5 per cent on the previous week.

The average daily number of new cases this week was 474, up from 431 last week.

There are currently 98 Covid patients in Victorian hospitals, with three in intensive care.

Sadly, 33 Covid deaths were reported in the past week, an average of five deaths each day. The number of deaths represents a 43.7 per cent decrease when compared to the same period last month.

“There has been an increase in Covid cases and a decrease in hospitalisations this week. Recent transmission has been driven primarily by waning immunity and influenced by multiple emerging Omicron sublineages,” Prof Sutton said.

“All Victorians who have not had a Covid vaccination or confirmed infection in the past six months are now eligible for a booster. This is irrespective of how many prior doses a person has received. The national eligibility change follows advice from ATAGI.”

For those not infected or vaccinated in the past six months, a 2023 booster is recommended for:

• All adults aged 65 years and over

• Adults 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities or disability with significant or complex health needs

For those not infected or vaccinated in the past six months, a 2023 booster should be considered for:

• Adults 18-64 with no risk factors for severe Covid

• Children and adolescents aged 5-17 who have medical comorbidities or disability with significant or complex health needs