PREMIER Daniel Andrews has made a formal pandemic declaration that will apply to Victoria until mid-January.

The declaration was made as part of the new pandemic management framework and will replace the State of Emergency declaration from December 15.

It comes as Mildura recorded seven new COVID cases on Thursday.

The declaration, which extends to January 12, gives the government the legal framework it needs to manage health emergencies, including vaccine mandates and face mask rules.

In making the declaration, the Premier determined there were reasonable grounds of a serious risk to public health across Victoria due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We've learned a lot over the past two years of this global pandemic – now, we're applying these lessons to manage pandemics in the future, support our public health system, keep Victorians safe and keep our vaccinated economy open," Mr Andrews said.

Statewide, 2026 new COVID cases were recorded on Thursday with all but three infections acquired locally.

Two deaths related to people aged in their fifties and seventies were also recorded.

Active cases across Victoria stand at 11,145, with 43 active coronavirus cases remaining in Mildura.