More than 5,024,000 vaccine doses have been administered by Victoria's state-commissioned services. 94.4 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 92.8 per cent have had two doses. This excludes the most recent Commonwealth data.
There are 374 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria - 77 active cases in ICU, with 43 of those on a ventilator. There are an additional 38 cleared cases in ICU.
Victoria was notified of 1,608 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. All cases were locally acquired except for two cases which were acquired overseas. The 10 Local Government areas with the highest number of new cases are Wyndham, Casey, Melbourne, Brimbank, Whittlesea, Moreland, Hume, Stonnington, Port Phillip and Glen Eira.
All locations containing new cases will be published today at Victorian COVID-19 data.
There are 17,392 active cases in Victoria. The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 157,167.
Sadly, the Department was notified yesterday of two deaths of people aged in their 70s. This brings the total number of deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began to 1,492.
72,519 COVID-19 tests were processed yesterday. The total number of tests performed in Victoria since the pandemic began is 17,009,966.
There are currently more than 17,300 active close contacts in isolation in Victoria.
Updates
Next dose interval
We note ATAGI's statement recommending a reduced minimum interval of four months between the primary course and the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, proposed from 4 January. This is an important and necessary change to keep more Victorians safe over summer.
People who are eligible for their third dose should book as soon as they can and play their part keeping the community safe. As we learn more about the new omicron strain, it's more important than ever that everyone who can goes and gets vaccinated.
The Commonwealth is leading the national COVID-19 booster dose program. While booster doses are available through state-run vaccination centres, the Commonwealth expects most doses to be delivered through GPs and community pharmacies. COVID-19 booster doses are available through state and Commonwealth vaccination centres, participating GPs and community pharmacies.
Appointments can be booked online. People should check for opening times over the Christmas and New Year period before booking.
Sensible mask rules
Masks are now required to be worn indoors, except for in the home, for people aged eight years and over - exceptions apply. We also strongly recommend that people opt for seated service instead of crowded, standing-only hospitality venues. See Victoria's COVIDSafe Settings
