COVID-19 spreads as the flu season begins in Australia

COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations continue to spike in the lead up to winter.

Nationally, about 2000 people are in hospital with COVID-19 and nearly 27,000 new cases were recorded in the week ending April 20.

NSW led with 12,393 new cases, a 28 per cent jump on the week before, while 29 people died with COVID-19.

Victoria had 40 COVID-related deaths - a 24 per cent increase on this time last month.

Victoria's chief health officer Brett Sutton said there was a "sustained trend of an increase in COVID cases, hospitalisations and intensive care admissions" in the state.

"The increase in transmission is being driven by the combination of waning immunity and the growth in recent weeks of multiple Omicron recombinant XBB sublineages," he said.

"Additionally, notified influenza cases in Victoria rose by 38 per cent in the first fortnight of April compared to the fortnight prior - indicating seasonal influenza activity has returned for 2023."

In the ACT, 581 new cases were recorded and one death, with 38 people in hospital with COVID-19.

IN OTHER NEWS:

There were 375 active outbreaks in residential aged care facilities across Australia in the week ending April 20.

Cases among residents and staff also jumped, with 1866 active cases among residents and 795 staff cases.

The Northern Territory remains unaffected, while all other states and territories have active outbreaks in aged care.

The number of cases among residents has doubled since March 30 and outbreaks have steadily risen.

Federal Health minister Mark Butler announced a further $50 million for research into Long COVID on April 24.

It came as the final report from the Inquiry into Long COVID and Repeated COVID Infections was tabled in Parliament.

"Long COVID is an emerging health issue, both in Australia and internationally," Mr Butler said.

"I have tasked my department with developing a national plan to respond to Long COVID, taking into consideration the committee's findings."