<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>334313</docID> <postdate>2024-11-29 15:20:42</postdate> <headline>‘Significant’ jump in COVID-19 cases ahead of Christmas</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-263394" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/annie-spratt-_S0XzuaZLas-unsplash-scaled-e1657935579958.jpg" alt="" width="1708" height="1184" /></p> <caption>Health authorities have urged those feeling unwell to stay at home as COVID-19 cases spike.</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Melissa Meehan</strong></span></p> <p><strong>A "significant" jump in COVID-19 hospitalisations and infections has health authorities urging caution as the festive season heats up.</strong></p> <p>The number of people hospitalised with the virus in Victoria increased by 59 per cent between October and November, the state's latest COVID-19 surveillance report revealed.</p> <p>Victoria's seven-day hospitalisation average rose to 197 by November 26, representing a "significant increase" according to the health department.</p> <p>The number of cases notified to the department has also increased in recent weeks, up 44 per cent in the past month.</p> <p>Victorians have been urged to protect themselves and those around them in the lead up to summer, particularly those most vulnerable.</p> <p>"It's the simple things that can have a big impact: if you're feeling sick, please stay home," chief health officer Clare Looker said on Friday.</p> <p>"If you need to go out, or you're visiting a higher-risk setting like an aged-care home or a hospital, it's a good idea to wear a mask."</p> <p>She urged people to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, as immunity to the virus wanes over time.</p> <p>Dr Looker said JN.1 was the dominant variant in the community and there was no indication that the virus had become more severe.</p> <p>COVID-19 infections have also increased in WA after three months of relatively low and stable figures, according to WA Health Department data on hospitalisations and wastewater sampling.</p> <p>NSW and Queensland have experienced slight increases to reported infections, but their overall numbers of COVID-19 cases remains low.</p> <p>According to the Department of Health and Aged Care vaccination rates were down for all states and territories in the November reporting period.</p> <p>It comes as a research survey, commissioned by vaccine manufacturer Pfizer Australia, revealed less than half of all Australians would test for COVID-19 if they were symptomatic.</p> <p>The survey, which included responses from 1000 Australian adults, also found that one-in-five would likely still go out in public even if they tested positive.</p> <p>Pfizer Australia medical director Krishan Thiru said there was usually an increase in COVID-19 cases during the festive season, which made it even more important for those at high-risk to take precautions.</p> <p>Australia's drug regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, approved Pfizer's newest vaccine in October.</p> <p>The vaccine targets the Omicron sub-variant JN.1 and will be available for anyone aged six months or older from December 9.</p> </body>