See how Victoria’s Covid deaths and hospitalisations by age have changed

Victoria’s acting chief health officer has suggested Melburnians consider again donning masks, as community transmission of Covid surges across the state — with the Eris strain dominating.

The state’s acting chief health officer has suggested Victorians consider again donning masks, as community transmission of Covid surges.

Dr Christian McGrath said as immunity from infection and vaccinations had now waned in many people, the rise in cases was not unexpected.

Dr McGrath said the best way people could protect themselves and those they loved from falling ill was by wearing a mask, getting a booster jab and opening windows and doors to let in fresh air.

“Key indicators of Covid-19 infections are showing increasing levels of Covid-19 activity in Victoria,” he said.

“After a period of slow increases from July, recent weeks have seen increases not observed since May … antiviral prescriptions have continued to increase slowly.”

The most dominant variant in Victoria currently was Covid EG.5, which was first detected in April, he said.

EG.5 is more commonly known as “Eris”, and is a mutation of the highly transmissible XBB. 1.9.2 strain.

Data released on Friday morning showed rapidly rising cases, hospitalisations and sadly, nearly 100 deaths across the state, in the most recent reporting period.

One of the best ways people can protect themselves is by wearing masks again. Picture: David Crosling

The number of Victorians hospitalised with Covid surged to a daily average of 233, up from 179 the previous week.

Tragically, the seven-day average of patients in intensive case with the virus also increased last week from eight to 13, while deaths rose to a 28-day average of 96 in the most recent reporting period.

Worryingly, Covid detection levels in metropolitan wastewater catchments have also increased, indicating Covid is again circulating in the community and there is more pain to come.

Covid ward reopens amid nursing home surge

Dandenong Hospital has reopened its Covid ward amid a surge in cases and outbreaks in nursing homes — as one state government health department calls for people to “be kind” to those Australians who choose to again start wearing face masks.

Covid cases recently jumped in Victoria by nearly 20 per cent and deaths have started rising in the last fortnight.

The 173 recorded daily cases, as of October 17, is despite the fact the Victorian government no long accepts reporting of positive RAT results to a hotline.

And Victoria has by far the highest number of Covid outbreaks in aged care homes in the country — with 76 as of October 18, compared to 40 in NSW, 24 in South Australia and 23 in Queensland.

Victoria has by far the most Covid cases in nursing homes. Picture: AFP

A total of 442 Victorian nursing home residents had Covid at that time.

The New South Wales Department of Health on Thursday tweeted: “With Covid-19 cases increasing in the community, some people … may choose to wear a mask to protect themselves … be kind and considerate of someone’s choice to wear a mask.”

While the Victorian government did not match the tweet, it recommends on its Covid website people wear a mask in public and when they cannot maintain a physical distance of 1.5m from others, for at least seven days after learning they have Covid.

Head of infectious diseases at Monash Health, Dr Rhonda Stuart, told 3AW Radio this week a “Covid pod” with 12 beds has been reopened at the hospital, with each room filled.

She said the hospital “may open another one in the near future”.