Covid-19 Victoria: Cases expected to rise in coming weeks as Omicron subvariant takes hold

A major Covid vaccination hub is set to close this month despite predictions the new variant is taking hold and set to double cases in the state.

Covid cases are expected to rise dramatically in Victoria in the coming weeks as the new BA.2 Omicron subvariant takes hold.

Despite Covid infections initially trending downwards following the peak of the Omicron wave, health authorities say the state is experiencing a 10 per cent increase each week.

The state recorded 9426 cases on Wednesday – the highest daily figure in more than a month.

Victoria’s Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said around half of the state’s wastewater sequencing showed traces of the new subvariant.

It’s expected cases will continue to trend upwards.

“If you look at the daily case numbers, those numbers are starting to trickle up again, and with the sequencing we’re now doing, we’re seeing an increasing prevalence of the BA.2 subvariant both here and across Australia,” Mr Weimar said.

“We will continue to see case numbers continue to trend upwards over March and April as we spend more time indoors.

“It’s really important people use this time to get themselves protected with a third dose.”

The government is embarking on another vaccination blitz to encourage people to get their booster shot. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Meanwhile, one of Victoria’s largest vaccination hubs is set to close this month despite the state pushing through with a major vaccination drive.

The hub at the Royal Exhibition Building will be decommissioned on March 23 amid primary car providers such as GPs and pharmacies increasingly delivering a larger portion of vaccinations to the public.

It comes as the government embarks on a major pop-up blitz to target lower vaccination rates across the state ahead of winter.

“Don’t rely on two doses to get you through this winter,” Health Minister Martin Foley said.

“If you are due, make march the month you get your third dose.”

Victorian Covid commander Jeroen Weimar expects cases to climb in the coming weeks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

More than 120 pop-up vaccination clinics will be launched in areas with a low booster uptake.

The Hume, Brimbank, Melton, Moreland, Casey and Darebin areas will be targeted.

Pop-up hubs will be available for walk-in appointments at libraries, sports facilities, malls, markets, festivals, playgrounds, primary schools and Bunnings in those areas.

St Vincent’s Health will continue to provide Covid vaccinations through outreach services and mobile vaccination vans, and larger fixed vaccination sites will continue to operate throughout Melbourne.

Figure have shown that more than two-thirds of Victorians are getting their third dose when they’re due, but there are still 1.7 million people due for their third dose.

Around 70 per cent of vaccinations are now done through GPs and pharmacies. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

NSW authorities last week predicted cases could double in the next four to six weeks, with that scenario also expected to happen in Victoria.

Mr Foley this week confirmed the new variant would soon be the dominant form of the virus in Victoria.

“The BA. 2 subvariant of Omicron is slowly and gradually asserting itself,” he said on Tuesday.

He said while it was known the strain was more infectious, it was not yet known by how much.

Originally published as Covid-19 Victoria: Cases expected to rise in coming weeks as Omicron subvariant takes hold