GREATER BENDIGO has recorded six new COVID-19 cases overnight.

That included five cases in the city centre's 3550 postcode and one in Kangaroo Flat's 3555.

The municipality's total active cases has dropped to 146, according to the Department of Health data.

Related: At last! Normality returns as Victoria's COVID-19 restrictions taper off

Elsewhere in the region, the Campaspe Shire recorded another three cases, as did the Macedon Ranges.

There were zero new cases were recorded in the Mount Alexander, Loddon Shire, Central Goldfields and Gannawarra shires.

Earlier

Victoria has recorded another 1007 cases of COVID-19 as numbers climb back into quadruple digits.

The climb is slight. The day before, new case numbers totalled 996.

Yesterday, another 12 people died from COVID-19 or its health complications.

More news: National Trans Awareness Week 2021: Alex's story of being a trans man in Bendigo

A total of 384 people are in hospital across the state, including 63 in intensive care units and 34 on ventilators.

Hopes continue to rise for an easing of restrictions in coming days, as the state nears the 90 per cent fully vaccinated milestone.

Controversy over planned new pandemic laws have seen premier Daniel Andrews hit out at some of his detractors over reported death threats.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Auditor General's Office has released a report highlighting the state's debt was expected to escalate due the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and public service wage pressures.

The report into the state's finances has forecast debt will grow by 200 per cent of revenue within the next three years, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure blowouts and spending on public servants.

Before COVID-19, borrowings as a proportion of revenue was about 60 per cent or lower but that figure is now at 128 per cent.

The government estimates debt will exceed 200 per cent of consolidated revenue by the 2024/25 financial year, which is more than three times pre-pandemic levels.

Other stories:

Bendigo yesterday recorded just two COVID-19 cases, the region's lowest daily total for somew time.

That tally included one case in the city centre's 3550 postcode and one in Kangaroo Flat's 3555.

The municipality's total active cases has dropped to 161, according to the Department of Health data.

Elsewhere in the region, the Campaspe Shire recorded another three cases, as did the Macedon Ranges.

There was one new case in the Buloke Shire, taking its total to four, and zero new cases were recorded in the Mount Alexander, Loddon Shire, Central Goldfields and Gannawarra.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: