Whittlesea is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 infections, recording 369 new cases taking the municipality’s active case number up to 1,950.
It trails Casey, Greater Geelong, Monash, Wyndham and Whitehorse, making it the sixth highest LGA for case numbers.
DPV Health medical director Dr Philip Hegarty said the increase in infections could place more pressure on the system.
“Over the last 4 weeks, the number of recorded COVID-19 infections in the Whittlesea area has gone up 50 per cent,” Dr Hegarty said.
“More infections leads to more emergency department presentations and more hospital admissions; which continue to overstretch our already very busy hospital system.”
Third dose vaccination rates in Whittlesea are the second lowest in the state, with 63.9 per cent of people having received it.
“The most important thing people can do to reduce their risk of COVID-19 infection is to make sure they have had a booster dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines in the last 3 months,” he said.
“Everyone really should have had either a 3rd or 4th dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by now.”
Dr Hegarty said the best protection over the colder months was for people to get their booster and influenza shots.
“For the COVID-19 strains now circulating in the community, we know that immunity from the vaccines wears off 3-6 months after having a booster, so it’s important that people have a recent vaccine booster to protect themselves over winter.”
“Making sure everyone who is eligible for the Influenza vaccine has this as well, is also very important to staying healthy over the next few months.”
He suggests taking extra precautions when out can help limit the spread of the virus.
“Other strategies that help reduce infection are wearing a mask when indoors (shops, supermarkets), physical distancing (2m), and avoiding large indoor crowds.”
“We are only at the start of winter, and the COVID-19 numbers are expected to continue to rise. We can all do our bit to protect ourselves, and to protect others.”
