New COVID-19 cases in south-west region as Christmas rush strains testing sites

There were three new cases in Warrnambool, and one in Glenelg Shire reported today by South West Healthcare.

There are now 39 positive patients being monitored across the region, while five patients have been cleared by the public health unit.

There are now:

The Warrnambool testing centre joins clinics across Victoria experiencing a surge in demand ahead of Christmas, and South West Healthcare urges the community to book ahead.

The Warrnambool Vaccination Centre will be closed from Friday December 24 and will re-open on Monday January 17 2022.

After another lockdown-plagued year, Victoria's health department has advised people not to go to Christmas gatherings if they have symptoms, wear masks when talking to others face-to-face and keep them short and outdoors.

Victoria reported 1302 new COVID-19 cases and zero deaths on Monday - the state's first day without adding a COVID-related fatality since September 16.

A further 13 Omicron cases have been discovered, taking Victoria's total to 37. Of those infections, 23 were acquired overseas and 14 in Australia.

A total of 406 patients are in hospital, 81 of whom are actively infected with the virus in intensive care and 43 on ventilators.

The seven-day hospitalisation average has risen by seven to 387.

Some 71,491 tests were processed in the 24 hours to midnight, while 4844 people were vaccinated in state-run hubs.

IN OTHER NEWS: