The BA. 4 and BA. 5 Omicron sub-variants have been found in wastewater catchments in Melbourne’s west, east and on the Mornington Peninsula. The Department of Health on Saturday warned the new variant would soon become the dominant strain in Victoria.In a written statement the department said: “The prevalence of BA.4/BA.5 in Victoria is likely to result in an increase in cases – including reinfections – and hospital admissions. “This is because the strain has a greater ability than BA. 2 to evade immunity provided by vaccination and earlier COVID-19 infection.”However the authority said there “was no evidence” that the strain caused “more severe disease”. New South Wales and Queensland have already experienced a significant increase in the number of people hospitalised with Covid in June.In New South Wales BA.4/BA.5 represented more than a third of positive tests by June 11. The BA.4/BA.5 sub-lineage was first identified in Victorian catchments in April and has since risen from under five per cent in late May to 17 per cent by June 23.Wastewater tests of the Mount Martha catchment on Friday revealed a very strong detection of Covid in the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Casey local government areas.Suburbs included in the catchment are Mt Eliza, Mt Martha, Somerville, Langwarrin South, Langwarrin, Moorooduc, Frankston, Mornington, Frankston South, Baxter and Pearcedale.Similar results were found in both the eastern and western treatment plants.Councils with new Covid strain The Health Department strongly encouraged Victorians to remain up to date with their vaccines, and to stay home if unwell and test for the virus.lucy.callander@news.com.au
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