Health alert
- Status:
- Active
- Alert number:
- 231027
- Date issued:
- 26 Oct 2023
- Issued by:
- Dr Christian McGrath, Acting Chief Health Officer
- Issued to:
- Health services, health professionals and the Victorian community
Key messages
- Community transmission of COVID-19 is increasing across Victoria.
- This is an expected part of the ongoing evolution of COVID-19 in the community, as our immunity from both infection and vaccination wanes with time and COVID-19 continues to circulate.
- These increases do not appear to be linked to a single new variant.
- During this time, it is especially important that those at greatest risk of severe consequences of COVID-19 are supported to reduce their risk – this includes people aged 65 and above, with a disability or chronic medical condition and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- 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.
- These six steps can help you 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. 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 5 days of developing symptoms.
- You should not visit high-risk people if unwell or have symptoms.
- Health services and other settings where the risk of COVID-19 transmission and impact is particularly significant are recommended to take actions based on local risk assessment and as outlined in updated COVID-19 guidance.
- The Department of Health will continue to monitor surveillance indicators and keep the public informed of when COVID-19 transmission returns to a low level of activity.
What is the issue?
- Key indicators of COVID-19 infections are showing increasing levels of COVID-19 activity in Victoria.
- 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-19 increased this week to a daily average of 233, up from 179 last week.
- Antiviral prescriptions have continued to increase slowly. Sustained growth in prescription numbers in the context of rising hospitalisations likely reflects growth in the number of new infections in the community as more people seek treatment.
- Quantitative wastewater levels have increased in the most recent measurements in metropolitan areas.
- Wastewater surveillance has identified EG.5, XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.9, as Victoria’s more prevalent subvariant groups.
- 5 was detected locally in Victoria as early as April and currently has the highest relative abundance in Victorian wastewater. EG.5 is a descendant lineage of XBB.1.9.2.
- There is currently no evidence of increased severity for any XBB subvariant.
Symptoms and transmission
COVID-19 symptoms vary from mild to severe and may appear between 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. They include:
- runny nose
- sore throat
- cough
- shortness of breath
- fever, chills and/or sweats.
Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of smell and taste, loss of appetite.
If you have any of the symptoms listed, however mild, you should seek advice and take a rapid antigen test immediately.
If you test positive for COVID-19, see Checklist for COVID-19 for a step-by-step guide to support you through to recovery.
You should speak to your GP if you have any concerns. Dial Triple Zero (000) if you are having trouble breathing or have chest pain.
Recommendations
For the general public
Protect yourself and at-risk Victorians by:
- wearing a face mask if you have symptoms or in high-risk settings
- staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination
- taking a test if you have symptoms
- staying at home if sick
- meeting outdoors or letting fresh air in when indoors
- talking to your GP about COVID-19 medicines, especially if you are at-risk.
For health services and health professionals
- Health services and other settings where the risk of COVID-19 transmission and impact is particularly significant are recommended to take actions based on local risk assessment and as outlined in updated COVID-19 guidance.
- DH will continue to monitor surveillance indicators and keep the public informed of when COVID-19 transmission returns to a low level of activity.
Reviewed 16 November 2023