COVID-19 spike coincides with large summer events and festivals

Event director Chantelle Beaunom said it was fair "to let individuals and organisations determine what's best for them in terms of mask use".

Ms Beaunom, who heads Right Angle Events, which organises corporate events and family fun days, said flexibility would promote "a balance between personal choice and collective well-being".

It was "premature" to gauge how concerned other event organisers were about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, she said. But her organisation encouraged mask wearing at events where people are in close proximity.

The most recent weekly report to November 10 shows 1346 patients in hospital and 32 patients are in ICU.

This was a 4.3 per cent increase in hospitalised cases from the previous week.

However, some want to see stronger recommendations for mask wearing to acknowledge those who are at higher risk of infection or immunocompromised.

Monash University politics lecturer Dr Blair Williams considers herself to be at high risk.

She said while mask mandates would be an unpopular decision, governments should do what would be "better for everyone in the future".

Research had shown that multiple COVID-19 infections increased the risk of heart disease, diabetes and the severity of dementia, Dr Williams said.

"It's not a good virus to have in your body."

"And this is only four years in that we know what happens. What happens in 10, 20 years' time in terms of those long term risks of this virus?"

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The Victorian Department of Health recommends mask wearing for those with symptoms or those visiting high risk settings such as hospitals or aged care.

"With an increase of COVID transmission in the community, it's important to remind people of the simple protective steps everyone can take," a department spokesperson said.

"These include masks, antivirals for those eligible, booster vaccinations, staying home when you're sick, and fresh air."