Ms Allan held a press conference in Melbourne today in her role as Acting Premier of Victoria, given the absence of Premier Dan Andrews and his deputy James Merlino.

Ms Allan's elevation to the role of acting premier came as COVID-19 cases almost doubled overnight to a staggering 14,020 with 516 people in hospital.

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The issue has been exacerbated by the lack of available rapid antigen tests and strain on testing clinics and pathology labs for a quick turnaround in results.

In the face of reporters' questions about lack of preparedness for the huge spike in COVID-19 cases, Ms Allan defender the Victorian Government's actions, saying it had moved quickly on the issue.

"Some time ago modelling did show that at this time in January, post Christmas and New Year, expectations were for a higher number of COVID-19 cases than we have ever experienced and that's exactly what we have seen happen here," she said.

"Yesterday's case numbers are high but importantly hospitalisation numbers are remaining stable which is a key metric keeping very close eye on."

She said prior to Christmas, the Victorian Government placed an order for 34 million rapid antigen tests to supplement the Victorian health system's testing program

"We have worked very hard to secure those rapid antigen tests and they will be deployed in the coming days."

She said the Victorian government had been working really hard to prepare for this huge increase in the number of COVID-19 cases by scaling up resources.

"That includes extra hospital bed capacity, more staff, more equipment, PPEs and other hospital equipment," Ms Allan said.

"There is no doubt there is additional pressure on our health system right now.

"We are seeing an unprecedented number of cases around the country and we are working very hard to continue to scale up resources to support our community at this time."

Responding to persistent questions from reporters about not responding well enough, Ms Allan was resolute.

"We have responded which is why we placed our order for the 34 million rapid antigen tests before Christmas," she said.

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"The Victorian Government had to step up to the plate and put in that order in the absence of a national co-ordinated approach from the federal government (on RATs).

"Every jurisdiction in Australia - and around the world - are in the hunt for rapid antigen tests and we have been able to secure 34 million and that the first batch is on its way.

"It would have been far better, far more productive, far more co-ordinated to have have had a national approach.

"This was not just a spike expected in Victoria but everywhere and that's why we moved in the absence of action from the federal government to get those RATs and they are on their way."

Ms Allan encouraged Victorians to continue wearing masks indoors and outdoors and to have their third dose of the vaccine to help slow the spread of the virus.

She said these common sense measures and individual actions continually play an important role in the midst of the pandemic.

"We want to provide support for the hospital system for the sickest of patients and that's what we've been doing in scaling up resources."

Ms Allan said she expected Premier Andrews to be back at work tomorrow for national cabinet conference on the COVID-19 pandemic.

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