VICTORIANS should expect high COVID-19 case numbers for the next few days as the backlog of positive rapid antigen tests are reported, the health minister says.

The state recorded an Australian record of 51,356 new coronavirus cases on Saturday.

Health Minister Martin Foley told reporters it reflected the changes to the RAT reporting system.

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"We have had, as we expected, a very big response to the pent-up demand that we knew was out there in regards to unreported cases," Mr Foley said.

"That figure has jumped significantly based on, it would appear, at least one week's worth of cases from the rapid antigen tests that were out there in the community.

"That does not mean that the new daily case figure has doubled in the course of 24 hours.

"What it means is it has now given us a realistic idea of transmission in the community. We knew there was undiagnosed cases out there.

"What we now know is that the figure for cases in the wider community is more accurate than we had previous to just taking the PCR figure tests."

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Mr Foley said the more accurate data allowed the health department to better support COVID-positive people.

"This is in many respects exactly what we wanted to happen and we thank all of those people for reporting their COVID status to us," he said.

"Nobody wants COVID, nobody wants the Omicron variant, but it is so important for responding and keeping people in touch with services and support

"It will necessarily take a few days to bed down this new system.

"I suspect we will continue to see higher case numbers than actual number for the previous day for a couple of days yet while those self reporting processes work themselves out."

11.30am

GREATER Bendigo has recorded 132 new coronavirus cases.

Data from the Department of Health released on Saturday showed there were 262 active infections in the region.

The new cases were from the 3550, 3551, 3555, 3556, 3557, and 3558 postcodes.

The department did not specify whether the new cases were from PCR tests or from rapid antigen tests.

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There were also new COVID-19 cases in the Macedon Ranges, with that shire recording a further 84 cases on Saturday.

The Campaspe Shire recorded 29 new infections, while the Mount Alexander Shire had 27 new cases and Central Goldfields had 18.

There were seven new cases in the Loddon Shire, five new cases in the Gannawarra Shire, and three new infections in the Buloke Shire.

Earlier

VICTORIA has recorded 51,356 new coronavirus cases.

A Department of Health spokesperson noted most people who reported a positive rapid antigen test got their result earlier in the week, and reported it when the new system opened on Friday.

The number of people who actually received their positive RAT result on Friday was 5923, the department said.

Another nine people have died from the virus and its complications.

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A total of 644 spent Friday in hospital with COVID-19, while 106 people received intensive care and 24 patients were on ventilators.

It came after Greater Bendigo saw another spike in cases on Friday, with 113 new cases recorded. There are 202 active cases in the region.

These numbers come as Maryborough District Health Service reopened its Burns Street Community Vaccination Hub to deliver third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The hub will be open three days a week from January 12 from 9am to 3.30pm for third dose bookings for people aged 18 years and over. Appointments will be necessary with no walk-in accepted.

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"We are pleased to reopen the clinic following a request to support pharmacies and GPs in administering the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine," MDHS operations manager for Maryborough Heather Blazko said.

"If you are aged 18 years or over, and it's been four months or more since your second vaccine, please call us to make an appointment to get your third dose."

Nurses at the clinic will administer the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty) only. Contact the MDHS on 5461 0300 between 8.30am and 5pm weekdays to make an appointment.

Anyone seeking a first or second dose should contact your local GP, pharmacy or a larger vaccination centre in Ballarat or Bendigo. Some pharmacies and state-run centres provide walk-ins.

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