The Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which are now dominant across Australia, are expected to continue to cause increases in new cases, reinfections and hospital admissions, according to the Victorian Chief Health Officer.
The rate of BA.4/BA.5 in clinical genomic surveillance and metropolitan and regional wastewater catchments continues to rise significantly.
BA.4/BA.5 have become the dominant strains in clinical genomic samples, rising to 82 per cent in the two weeks prior to 21 July.
The BA.4/BA.5 sub-lineages were first identified in Victorian wastewater catchments in April and have since risen from under five per cent in late May to an average of 78 per cent across all catchments by 14 July.
This third wave of the Omicron variant is expected to peak in August.
The impact of this can be reduced through immediate preventative measures such as wearing a mask in indoor and crowded settings.
Wearing masks when indoors outside your home helps protect yourself, your family, and your community.
It will also protect our health system and support our front-line healthcare workers by reducing COVID-19 cases in the community and reducing pressure on GP practices and our hospitals.
Every Victorian who wears a mask when out and about is helping our healthcare workers.
Additionally, when meeting others or in shared indoor areas, take steps to improve ventilation by opening doors and windows, using portable air purifiers where available or preferably meeting outside.
