Victoria records 2095 new cases, eight Covid deaths

Victoria has recorded 2095 new Covid-19 cases and eight deaths in the past 24 hours as hospitalisations continue to climb.

Victoria has recorded 2095 new cases and eight Covid deaths in the past 24 hours.

There are now 397 infected people in hospital with 75 active in intensive care and 40 on a ventilator.

More than 92 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated and the state hosts 15.471 active cases.

People wait in line at Russell Street COVID-19 testing centre as infection numbers continue to rise in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A total of 81,565 tests were taken yesterday and 13,382 vaccines were administered at state hubs.

It comes as Victoria’s Acting Premier revealed new details into Victoria’s booster rollout with almost a million shots to be delivered every week.

James Merlino made the announcement on Thursday morning, confirming the state government will put $31.6m towards the refreshed rollout.

Mr Merlino was also keen to label the newest jab a third dose as to show Victorians they aren’t “optional”.

“This is a third dose,” he said.

“As I said a couple of days ago boosters give a connotation of it being optional – it is not – the third dose is critical in our fight against this new variant.”

It’s expected the rollout will last at least several months with the Royal Exhibition Building’s vaccine facilities slated to open until late March.

Originally published as Victoria records 2095 new cases, eight Covid deaths