Victoria’s COVID-19 case numbers have rocketed up again with 21,997 new cases recorded.
The figures come from 64,861 test results, meaning one in three people getting tested has returned a positive result in the most recent reporting period.
Six more people have died.
Hospitalisations are up slightly again, to 631 on Thursday from 591 the day before.
There are now 51 people in intensive care and 22 on ventilators.
By 9am on Thursday there were 35 state-run PCR testing sites closed because they were over capacity.
That comes despite changes introduced by national cabinet on Wednesday, meaning people who record a positive from a rapid antigen test will no longer have to get their results confirmed by a PCR.
That decision is expected to ease some of the pressure on PCR sites, though RATs remain in short supply.
Victoria has ordered an extra 10 million rapid tests, taking the total number headed for the state to 44 million.
Acting premier Jacinta Allan said the first of those would be deployed in the coming days though it is still unclear how they will be distributed.
VICTORIA’S LATEST COVID-19 FIGURES:
* Active cases: 61,120
* Hospital cases: 631, up 40
* Hospital cases seven-day average: 537
* Active cases in ICU: 51
* Cleared cases in ICU: 49
* Cases on a ventilator: 22
AAP
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