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GREATER Bendigo has recorded 91 new COVID-19 cases.
The new infections are a sharp increase from the 28 cases recorded on Tuesday.
But the Department of Health data released on Wednesday shows Greater Bendigo's active case numbers remain under 200, with 176 people currently infected with COVID in the region.
Related news: Bendigo Health coronavirus testing clinic overwhelmed
The new coronavirus cases are listed in the 3550, 3551, 3555, 3556, 3557, and 3558 postcodes. There are 75 new cases alone in the 3550 postcode.
Other parts of central Victoria have also recorded new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
The Macedon Ranges has recorded 70 new infections, while the Campaspe Shire had 17 and Mount Alexander had 14.
The Gannawarra Shire has eight new cases, while the Buloke and Central Goldfields areas each have five new infections.
The Loddon Shire has recorded three new cases.
Earlier
Victoria has recorded another 17,636 COVID-19 cases since Tuesday.
The municipality saw its total active cases rise to 162 on Tuesday after Greater Bendigo recorded 28 new cases.
Another 11 people have died from the virus and its complications, according to Department of Health statistics released on Tuesday morning. There are now 51,317 active cases in Victoria.
A total of 591 spent Monday in hospital with COVID-19, 106 in intensive care and 20 on ventilators.
Health workers tested 59,682 people and vaccinated 18,853 people.
These cases come as Bendigo Health reminded people to only line up for PCR testing if they have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive rapid-antigen test.
The testing clinic in McLaren Street is still seeing a high demand for COVID-19 testing.
A Bendigo Health spokesperson said rapid-antigen tests are the best test for people with out symptoms who are a close contact.
"You only need to come to Bendigo Health for a PCR test if you have symptoms or you have returned a positive Rapid Antigen Test," the spokesperson said.
"RATs are the appropriate test for people without symptoms who have been in contact with a COVID-positive person or people who want to take a precautionary test."
Like other parts of Victoria, people being tested for COVID-19 in Bendigo are experience a wait for up to five days for test results.
The Loddon Mallee region is ready for a surge in COVID-19 hospitalisations, with hundreds of beds available in the region's hospitals.
Across the state, there were 516 people in hospital with COVID-19 on Tuesday. Fifty-six of those patients were receiving intensive care while 24 people were on ventilators.
The state's coronavirus hospitalisations have jumped from 361 patients at the same time last week, while intensive care numbers have dropped.
With the Omicron variant now accounting for the majority of coronavirus cases in Victoria, COVID commander Jeroen Weimar warned hospitalisations would increase rapidly.
"If we look at the experience in New South Wales, who appear to be about a week or so ahead of us in this pandemic, they're now starting to report quite significant numbers," Mr Weimar told reporters on Monday.
Bendigo Health executive director David Rosaia said hospitals within the Loddon Mallee region were ready to act, with an additional 150 to 200 beds available.
"We are in a very good position because we have a beautiful brand new hospital," Mr Rosaia said. "We do have the space to increase our inpatient capacity.
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