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Greater Bendigo's active COVID-19 numbers have hit double digits once again as cases rise steadily in the region.
The municipality has recorded 10 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total active in the area to 81.
There was another jump as another 20 cases were recorded in the Campaspe region, taking the total active cases in the area to 95.
Four new cases have been found in Bendigo's 3550 postcode, four in the 3551 area and one in Kangaroo Flat's 3555 zone.
Another case has been found in the 3556 postcode.
Elsewhere in the region, the Mount Alexander Shire has recorded seven new cases, three in the Central Goldfields and six new in the Macedon Ranges.
No cases were recorded in the Buloke and Gannawarra shires.
10.50am
Australians will have their wait for a COVID-19 vaccine booster slashed as authorities scramble to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended Australians receive a third dose four months after their second from January 4. That will be reduced to just three months from January 31.
Announcing the development on Friday morning, Health Minister Greg Hunt described the decision as "no surprise" given the highly-infectious new strain.
"These dates have been set out of an abundance of caution to give Australians early continued protection," he said.
The advice we have is that the protection as it is is very strong against severe illness, but what we'll see is a much stronger protection against transmission."
Chief medical officer Paul Kelly said boosters had shown signs of reducing transmission of the virus, but were "not enough" by themselves, with restrictions reintroduced by the states also contributing to the fight.
"With the booster, it goes back towards the same levels as Delta. It will be an important and is already becoming an important part of our control of the current Omicron wave in Australia," he said.
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The decision will make an additional 4.3 million people eligible for a booster on January 4, with a total of 16 million eligible by the end of that month.
Pharmacies have reported they were already struggling to fill demand, but Mr Hunt insisted the revised timetable would focus on the most vulnerable.
"A very important principle ... [is] focusing on the priority populations. The further someone has been from their second dose, the more important it is that they're vaccinated by acting at four months," he said.
"Then progressively at three months, we're giving the highest priority to those who have the greatest distance in time from having been vaccinated."
Earlier
Another 2095 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Victoria since Thursday as well as eight deaths.
Department of Health data shows there are now 15,471 active cases across the state.
Victoria also saw 81,565 test results processed and 13,382 coronavirus vaccinations administered.
Around the state, there are 397 people in hospital, 75 receiving intensive care and 40 on ventilators.
The new cases come as acting premier James Merlino reintroduced mask mandates in Victoria.
People in Victoria must once again wear masks in all indoor settings, except for in the home.
Masks will also be required when moving around major events with more than 30,000 people, however not when patrons are seated outdoors.
Mr Merlino said re-introducing the measure would help reduce COVID-related hospitalisations.
"These are modest but meaningful steps we can take over summer to ensure we stay open see the people we love this Christmas," he said.
"Masks and boosters mean less COVID exposure, fewer workers in isolation, and more businesses open and disruption free."
In Greater Bendigo, there were seven new cases recorded in Wednesday. Bendigo active cases climbed by one - to 78 - with a number of people recovering from the virus.
Elsewhere in the region, the Mount Alexander Shire has recorded seven new cases, the Macedon Ranges six and Campaspe four while the Loddon and Central Goldfield shires recorded one case each.
Gannawarra and Buloke recorded zero new cases.
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