Christmas Health warnings follow COVID-19 comeback

News of a COVID-19 resurgence has authorities reissuing health warnings ahead of the festive season.

The latest Victorian COVID-19 Surveillance Report issued by the Health Department on November 24, showed the number of hospitalisations, the seven-day ICU average and deaths in the most recent 28-day period all increasing.

The report showed the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 increased to a daily average of 325, up from 317 the week before, although that was still below the most recent peak across May and June. The seven-day average of ICU patients increased from 14 to 16. The report also said deaths in the most recent 28-day period had risen to a total of 145.

Goulburn Valley Health said there had been a small increase in hospitalisations locally.

“We’ve seen 10 admissions (of COVID to the emergency department), it’s a fairly low number,” GV Health chief operating officer Donna Sherringham said. “We’ve seen fairly regularly one or two, so it’s been a small increase for us, and it’s reflective of what’s happening across the state.” Ms Sherringham said some precautions had been taken to prevent further spread of the disease though.

“We adhere to the infection control and COVID guidelines and so we have kept masks on staff if a patient is suspected, or does actually have, COVID. “So, the staff have been at times in masks, and we have recently brought masks back to the organisation because we have seen a small increase in actual presentations to the emergency department admissions, so it’s a preventative step.”

The figures have GV Health reminding people of the same health precautions that became so familiar during the height of the pandemic. “If they can have their boosters, it’s a good, safe practice. Particularly if you’ve got elderly (friends or relations) or younger children, and your GP is a place, or pharmacies are, where you can get the COVID vaccinations,” Ms Sherringham said.

“I would encourage the general public to also have their vaccinations.”

People have also been reminded to do their bit to limit the spread by staying at home if they have symptoms.

“If you’re unwell, test, stay at home. If you do become unwell, seek help, and that may be through your GP, or it may be that you have to come to the hospital,” Ms Sherringham said.

“The important information that we want people to remember is that social distancing is very important, and if you are unwell, please stay home until you are better and test for COVID.” To date, the latest resurgence in COVID-19 has not impacted staffing levels at GV Health to a serious extent.

“We’ve had a small increase in staff furlough but nothing that we can’t manage, and so it’s part of why we’ve put the masks back because our staff are the greatest asset to GV Health, and we need them safe and ready to care,” Ms Sherringham said.