There were 22,429 new cases in Omicron, Victoria, or has peaked

Although Victoria still has 22,429 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and 6 deaths on the 17th, the number of new cases on Sunday has dropped from a high of 40,000 cases late last week to 32,200. In addition, according to Victoria's Chief Health Officer and virus model experts, the wave of Omicron infection in Victoria is receding and may have peaked.

The epidemic in Victoria may have reached its peak

The Time newspaper reported that Victoria's chief health officer, Brett Sutton, said other jurisdictions battling the Omicron outbreak had experienced a rapid rise and then a decline in the number of cases, including South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. "While there's a lot of uncertainty, I do think we're pretty close to the peak, even if we haven't reached the peak yet." Sutton said.

In addition, Sutton noted that as hospitalization rates catch up with infections, it is likely that Victoria will see a surge in the number of people requiring hospitalization in the next two weeks, while the number of people in intensive care may peak within three weeks. There are still 245,040 active cases in Victoria, 1,229 hospitalized for COVID-19, 129 under intensive care and 38 in need of ventilator support.

According to the data of the Australian Newspaper, on the 17th, There were 29,504 new cases of new crown and 17 deaths in New York; 15,122 new cases of new crown and 7 deaths in Queensland; 4,000 new cases of new crown in South Australia; 1,037 new cases of new crown in Tasmania; and 284 new cases of new crown in the Northern Territory.

Victoria distributes 3 million rapid antigen tests

Starting on the 17th, the Victorian government will distribute 3 million rapid antigen test kits to key industries as part of a plan to reduce the number of quarantined workers.

Although this batch of rapid test kits is one of the 44 million sets of orders ordered by the Victorian government, acting Governor Merino admitted on the 17th that this is not enough for all Victorians. "We need more than 44 million test kits because they're being used very, very fast." According to Sutton, Victoria will receive another 5 million rapid antigen test kits in the near future.

In addition, Sutton recommends that people use these kits for testing after going to crowded indoor settings, visiting elderly or vulnerable relatives, and coming into contact with confirmed cases. He also reminded Victorians that a plan needs to be put in place, including designating a person to deliver food and supplies if infected, and knowing which services to call for help if symptoms worsen. (Noi Compiled)