Victoria records 1534 new local cases of coronavirus, just under half-a-million yet to get first jab

Victorian health officials have revealed the number of residents who are still yet to receive their first dose of the vaccine.

Victoria has recorded 1534 new locally acquired coronavirus infections as health officials reveal that just under half-a-million Victorians are still yet to have their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Victorian Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar urged those people to come forward for their jab, saying they were in “real danger of being left behind” as the state reopens.

He also mentioned the number of daily administered doses were starting to fall, but that was to be expected with 76 per cent of Victorians aged above 16 fully inoculated.

“It is not unusual and it is what we projected in terms of the number of people still to come forward but we still have literally hundred of thousand of Victorians who are eligible,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“Just under half a million who have not had their first dose and they are from real danger of being left behind.

“I encourage and implore anybody who has not made up their mind about being vaccinated please come forward and get it done.

“Talk to your GP, pharmacist, talk to us, talk to your friend and look at the things that are going to open up in the weeks ahead and come and join us in the world.”

About 90.8 per cent of Victorians older than 16 had received one jab of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 76 per cent were fully vaccinated.

Thirteen more Victorians died with the virus in the past 24 hours.

Victoria has recorded another day of high case numbers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

A man in his 30s and a woman in her 40s were among the fatalities announced on Wednesday.

But Mr Weimar said the virus was not the main cause of death for the middle-aged victims.

“I don’t believe so. I believe they passed away while being Covid positive. I don’t believe it was the primary cause,” he said.

On Tuesday Victoria posted 1510 local cases.

Victorian chief health officer professor Brett Sutton said case numbers and transmission in Melbourne were stabilising, but called out the city’s southeast as an area of concern for health officials.

He said the local government areas of Casey and Greater Dandenong had the highest number of new cases on Tuesday with 169 and 140.

In regional Victoria, Latrobe had 41 new cases and Wodonga 36.

“Those are some areas with significant activity at the moment,” Professor Sutton said.

“As we open up further on Friday night, there will be more individuals who are infectious going to regional Victoria.”

Victorian chief health officer professor Brett Sutton says case numbers and transmission in Melbourne are stabilising. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

But Professor Sutton said regional Victoria was protected.

“Regional Victoria has absolutely fantastic first dose coverage and is screaming along for second dose coverage,” he said.

“There is no LGA left behind in regional Victoria. They are all at or above 94 per cent (vaccination) coverage, the great majority of them above 95 per cent first those coverage.

“That is more equitable for a region in any other jurisdiction in Australia.”

A new raft of freedoms will be triggered on Friday at 6pm, when it is expected 80 per cent of Victoria’s eligible population will have had their second dose.

State-wide travel will resume, as well as indoor dining, and the reopening of the retail industry.

Originally published as Victoria records 1534 new local cases of coronavirus, just under half-a-million yet to get first jab