MORE than 800 locals in Mildura have COVID-19 and the rate of infections has increased by 50 per cent since last week.
The 155 new cases recorded on Tuesday took total active cases in Mildura to 819 and come as hospital admissions across Victoria continue to rise, now up to 869.
The latest data upholds recent warnings from health experts of a fourth wave of infections across the state. Another 40 deaths in the latest update have taken total deaths to 2790 this year.
While infections continue to proliferate, the state government has steered clear of mask mandates beyond care and justice facilities.
But Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has “strongly” recommended Victorians wear masks indoors and in crowded places.
Although the Victorian government has not reintroduced mask or vaccination mandates, Latrobe University has extended its vaccine mandate for students on campus until the end of semester 2.
A spokesperson for the university said it had been making “evidence-based decisions” since the outset of the pandemic after first introducing a vaccine requirement for people attending campuses.
“Following the advice of the university’s own public health experts, survey feedback from staff and students and our assessment of our health and safety obligations, the university took the decision to extend its existing vaccination requirement throughout winter until end of semester 2 activities,” the spokesperson said.
“This will give the university time to strengthen other defences against COVID-19 so that we can start to lift the vaccine mandate later in the year.”
The third-dose vaccination rate for people aged 16 and over in Mildura, at 67.6 per cent, sits below the state average of 69 per cent.
Less than half the Indigenous population in Mildura have received a third dose of vaccine.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has found protection from the first booster dose wanes over several weeks.
People aged 30 and over are eligible for a winter booster dose.
