There are 591 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria – 53 active cases in ICU, with 20 of those on a ventilator. There are an additional 53 cleared cases in ICU.
5,055,147 vaccine doses have been administered by Victoria’s state-commissioned services, with 18,853 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.
11.1 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes third primary doses, as well as third doses (which are currently available for people 18 and over).
Victoria was notified of 17,636 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. All cases were locally acquired. The 10 LGAs with the highest number of new cases are Casey, Brimbank, Wyndham, Melbourne, Melton, Moreland, Stonnington, Hume, Port Phillip and Greater Dandenong.
All locations containing new cases will be published today at .
Community sample testing of positive cases for the Omicron variant indicates that it is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Victoria. 76 per cent of samples collected over the Christmas period were the Omicron variant. Further testing to confirm this finding will take place over the coming week.
There are 51,317 active cases in Victoria. The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 230,919.
Sadly, the Department was notified yesterday of 11 deaths of people aged in their 40s, 70s, 80s and 90s. This brings the total number of deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began to 1,553.
59,682 COVID-19 tests were processed yesterday. The total number of tests performed in Victoria since the pandemic began is 17,633,109.
There are currently more than 8,150 active close contacts in isolation in Victoria.
Updates
COVID-19 vaccinations
State-run vaccination centres are now taking appointments for children aged 5 to 11.
Parents and carers can make a booking by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week) or using the with a unique email address. This could be a new or alternative email address used by you or your child.
If you’re aged 18 or over and had your second vaccination four or more months ago, you’re eligible for your third dose. You can get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines regardless of the COVID-19 vaccine you received for your initial doses.
You can book your third dose online. For walk-ins, please check the to find the opening hours for individual sites. Otherwise, to obtain your vaccination, please use the to find a participating GP or pharmacy.
Testing
As part of a pilot program, a small number of single Rapid Antigen Tests are being distributed today at four PCR testing centres in Cranbourne, Coolaroo, Deakin University Burwood, and Melbourne Showgrounds.
People who are already in the line at these four testing centres may be offered a Rapid Antigen Test to use if they don’t have symptoms. If a Rapid Antigen Test returns a positive result, you must get a PCR test.
Stock is strictly limited. We strongly discourage travelling for the purpose of getting a Rapid Antigen Test at a PCR testing centre, as there may not be one available. Any disrespectful behaviour towards staff at the site will not be tolerated.
We continue to thank Victorians for their patience and understanding as our testing centres deal with unprecedented demand. Victorians should only be getting a PCR test if they have symptoms or if they have tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test.
The Victorian Government has secured an order for 44 million Rapid Antigen Tests, to be delivered this month. We will have more to say about the distribution of free Rapid Antigen Tests soon.
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