COVID case numbers continued to surge in Mildura as the State Government introduced new restrictions to slow the spread of Omicron across Victoria.
Mildura reported 102 new cases Thursday, taking its active total to 243.
This followed 121 cases, which had been recorded from the start of the year until Wednesday.
Across Victoria, 21,997 cases and 631 hospitalisations. Fifty-one people in the state were in ICU, and there were six deaths.
In response to rising numbers in Victoria, the State Government announced new rules regarding COVID testing on Thursday.
Under the new pandemic orders, effective from Thursday 11.59pm, people who test positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT) will be considered “probable cases” and not need to be followed by a PCR test.
However, it will be mandatory to report a positive RAT to the department of health through an online form or by phone.
The online reporting system will go live on January 7 and will include a symptom check for triage care.
A PCR test continues to be recommended for people who test positive on a RAT but don’t have symptoms and who aren’t contacts.
In further restrictions, Victorians aged eight and over must wear face masks in all indoor settings, including schools.
A new density quotient of one person per two square metres has also been introduced for indoor areas at hospitality and entertainment venues.
The government strongly recommended that the community undertake a RAT prior to visiting aged care facilities or hospitals.
It also issued a “strong recommendation” to work from home and study from home for adult education, and to do so until Australia Day.
Alongside the restrictions which the government hopes will slow down super-spreader events in public venues, the State Government announced that non-urgent elective surgery will temporarily be reduced in metropolitan and regional cities.
All emergency surgery and urgent elective surgery will continue.
More information about how Victorians can report their rapid antigen result will be on the coronavirus website from 7 January coronavirus.vic.gov.au
