There are 491 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria - 56 active cases in ICU, with 24 of those on a ventilator. There are an additional 48 cleared cases in ICU.
More than 5, 036,094 vaccine doses have been administered by Victoria's state-commissioned services, with 494 administered yesterday at state-run centres.
94.5 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 92.9 per cent have had two doses. This excludes the most recent Commonwealth data.
10.9 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over had had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes third primary doses, as well as booster doses (which are currently available for people 18 and over).
Victoria was notified of 8,577 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. All cases were locally acquired except for four cases which were acquired overseas. The 10 LGAs with the highest number of new cases are Melbourne, Brimbank, Casey, Hume, Moreland, Wyndham, Stonnington, Port Phillip, Boroondara and Whittlesea.
All locations containing new cases will be published today at Victorian COVID-19 data .
Community sample testing of positive cases for the Omicron variant indicates that it is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Victoria. It appears that 76 per cent results of samples collected over the Christmas period were the Omicron variant - further testing is to confirm this is being undertaken over the next week.
There are 38,118 active cases in Victoria. The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 199,528 .
Sadly, the Department was notified yesterday of three deaths of people aged in their 50s and 90s. This brings the total number of deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began to 1,540 .
44,168 COVID-19 tests were processed yesterday. The total number of tests performed in Victoria since the pandemic began is 17,512,912 .
There are currently more than 11,900 active close contacts in isolation in Victoria.
Updates
Testing reminder
Only people in the following groups should be getting a PCR test:
- People with COVID-19 symptoms
- People who have tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test
- People who are required to use Rapid Antigen Tests (e.g. asymptomatic household contacts) who cannot access a Rapid Antigen Test
Other asymptomatic contacts who are recommended to use Rapid Antigen Tests - or asymptomatic people in the community who want to check if they have COVID-19 - should not get a PCR test.
They should opt for Rapid Antigen Tests, and if they are currently unavailable, continue to monitor for symptoms and stay COVIDSafe.
Victoria has invested in 34 million Rapid Antigen Tests and they will soon be available free to people who need them.
Third doses
Most state-run vaccination centres will be open tomorrow, Tuesday 4 January
If you're over 18 and you had your second vaccination four or more months ago, you're eligible for your third dose. You can get a Pfizer or Moderna third dose regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine you received for your initial doses.
You can book your third dose vaccination appointment online. For walk ins, please check the list of vaccination centres for opening days and hours for individual sites.
Otherwise, to obtain your vaccination, please use the vaccine clinic finder to find a participating GP or pharmacy.
Vaccinations for children
Children aged 5 to 11 can start receiving their first paediatric dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from 10 January.
You can book online through a GP or pharmacy by visiting the clinic finder at www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-clinic-finder .
Unfortunately due to an issue with the booking system, bookings for the 5 to 11 age group are not able to open tomorrow for state-run vaccination centres. Microsoft are working to implement a solution as fast as possible.
Online and hotline bookings for this age group will be available later this week.
- Your COVID Checklist if you test positive
- Your COVID Checklist if you are a contact
- Vaccinations , including how to book and where to go
- Information about Rapid Antigen Tests
- Find your nearest testing centre
- Current COVIDSafe settings for living and working in Victoria
- Financial support is available if you have to isolate after a test
- Victoria's Pandemic Order Register
To access the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Victoria, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website
