Victoria has 2095 COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths

| December 24, 2021

Victoria has reported 2095 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths after the state government told residents young and old to don masks during the holiday season

Friday’s daily case figure shows infection numbers are slowly climbing towards the high recorded on October 22 when the state recorded 2160 cases.

It’s also pushed up active infections to 15,471.

A total of 397 patients are in hospital, including 75 who are actively infected with the virus and in intensive care, with 40 on ventilators.

The seven-day hospitalisation average is steady at 392.

Testers processed 81,565 results on Thursday, while 13,382 people were vaccinated in state-run hubs.

Meanwhile, a mask mandate for people eight years and older entering hospitality and entertainment venues and offices has now come into effect.

Masks will also be required at all major events with more than 30,000 patrons, including the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, but can be removed while seated outdoors.

They do not need to be worn in households.

Acting Premier James Merlino says the mandate will remain until at least January 12.

“This is a sensible response which will allow businesses to stay open, bars and restaurants to continue to stay open and major events to go ahead,” he said on Thursday.

Masks are already required in retail settings, for hospitality workers and on public transport.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there was still uncertainty about the impact of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, but early evidence suggested it was far more infectious than the Delta strain.

“New South Wales has 15 times the (case) number they had just a couple of weeks ago,” he said on Thursday.

“So we need to do everything we can.”

The government is also recommending Victorians work from home over the festive season and hospitality venues are being asked to consider providing a seated-only service.

A lockdown is not being considered because of Victoria’s high vaccination rate.

Meanwhile, Victoria and other jurisdictions are awaiting advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation on reducing the third dose interval.

Currently, people can get their booster shot five months after their second, but the timeframe could be shortened to three or four months.