Some Victorian hospitals are reinstating visitor mask mandates in response to a spring spike in COVID-19 cases.
In a sign of growing pressure on the system, the state’s healthcare system will be moved to a “stage two operational response” at 11:59pm on Friday.
The four-level system, designed in 2022 during concerns of a winter surge and staff shortages, outlines various measures hospitals can take to cope with growing workload.
Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Christian McGrath issued the health alert last week as community transmission of COVID-19 increases across the state.
According to the alert, the increased spread does not appear to be linked to a single new variant and is an expected part of the ongoing evolution of the virus in the community as immunity from infection and vaccination wanes with time.
The Victorian Department of Health is now releasing weekly data on COVID-19 case numbers which show that after a period of slow increases from July, recent weeks have seen increases to levels not observed since May.
The number of people in hospital with COVID increased in the week the health alert was issued to a daily average of 233, up from 179 the previous week.
The Acting Chief Health Officer has reiterated the six steps to help residents stay ahead of COVID-19:
- Wear a mask: a high-quality and well-fitted mask can protect you and others from the virus.
- Get vaccinated: stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine. ATAGI has recently recommended an additional booster vaccination for adults over 75 years of age. Vaccines are available at your GP or local pharmacy.
- Let fresh air in: open windows and doors when you can — it reduces the spread of the virus.
- Get tested: if you have symptoms, take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Free RATs are available at your local council.
- Stay at home: if you have COVID-19, you should stay at home for at least five days and until you have no symptoms. Speak to your GP if symptoms worsen.
- Talk to your doctor: if you are at risk of falling very sick, you may be eligible for COVID-19 antiviral medicines. You must take these within five days of developing symptoms.
It is also advised not to visit high-risk people if unwell or symptomatic to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus to more vulnerable members of the community.
The Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) is also encouraging residents to act now to avoid infection, which executive director of nursing, midwifery & allied health Robyn Wilson said is the best way to stop COVID from spreading.
“With another increase in the spread of COVID-19 in the community, MDHS is urging community members to stay on top of COVID safe measures,” she said.
“The best way to prevent those you love from getting infected is to protect yourself. If you don’t get COVID-19, you can’t spread COVID-19.
“The easiest way to protect yourself and at-risk members of the community is by carrying out the simple safety measures that we all know so well by now.”
Ms Wilson said wearing a mask in particular was an easy way to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID or other illnesses.
“Wearing a face mask and continuing to practice good hand hygiene can go a long way to help protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19, the flu (influenza), and other respiratory illnesses,” she said.
“We are all responsible for helping to reduce the risk of severe con-sequences of respiratory illness for vulnerable members in our community.”
For more information on COVID-19 and advice visit the Department of Health’s website at www.health.vic. gov.au