Coronavirus update for Victoria – 22 February 2022

COVID-19 Data

There are 345 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria – with 24 active cases in ICU, including 8 on a ventilator, and an additional 24 cleared cases in ICU.

5,922,351 vaccine doses have been administered by Victoria’s state-commissioned services, with 8,426 administered yesterday at state-run centres. 143 of the doses administered yesterday were for children aged 5 to 11 years.

55.9 per cent of Victorians aged 18 and over have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. 93.9 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have had two doses. 54.3 per cent of Victorians aged between 5 and 11 years have had one dose.

6,786 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded yesterday. This includes:

• 5,042 who tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test
• 1,744 who returned a positive result on a PCR test.

Sadly, the Department was notified yesterday of 14 deaths of people aged in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

One death was reclassified due to a duplication. This brings the total number of deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began to 2,392.

There are 47,464 active cases in Victoria.

15,375 PCR tests were processed yesterday. The total number of PCR tests performed in Victoria since the pandemic began is 19,371,231.

Updates

Easing of mask rules

As hospitalisation rates decline and third dose vaccination rates increase, a number of sensible changes to pandemic orders and public health recommendations in Victoria will come into place at 11:59pm on Friday 25 February 2022.

Public health recommendations for Victorians to work and study from home will be removed, while masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings.

Masks will only be required indoors in the following circumstances, unless an exemption applies:

• People on public transport, in taxis and rideshare, on planes, and indoors at an airport
• People working or visiting hospitals, and indoor areas at care facilities
• Workers in hospitality, retail and the court system
• Workers at justice and correctional facilities
• Students in year 3 or above at primary school, and workers at early childhood centres and primary schools (masks can be removed in secondary school)
• People working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people attending
• In special circumstances, such as if you have COVID-19 or are a close contact and you’re leaving home
• Masks are recommended for other workers serving or facing members of the public, such as if you are at reception, meeting guests or serving customers.

For more information visit A Safe And Sensible Return To The Office As Mask Rules Ease.

Millions protected in first year of Victorian vaccinations

Eleven vaccines a minute have been administered by Victoria’s state-run services since the COVID-19 vaccination program commenced 12 months ago today.

Victoria’s health services can be proud of their efforts over the last year, with our health professionals delivering almost six million doses – more than any other state or territory – across 166 vaccine hubs and 1,322 community pop-ups and mobile sites.

For more information visit Millions Protected In First Year Of Victorian Vaccinations.

Links and contacts

• Report your positive Rapid Antigen Test or find more information about Rapid Antigen Tests
• Follow your COVID Checklist if you test positive or you are a contact of someone with COVID-19
• Get your vaccine through GPs or community pharmacies through the Vaccine Clinic Finder
• Get information on managing COVID-19 at home and getting the right support for your symptoms
• See where and how you can get vaccinated at state-run centres
• Find your nearest testing centre
• Current COVIDSafe settings for living and working in Victoria
• Financial support is available if you have to isolate after a test
• View Victoria’s Pandemic Order Register

To access the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Victoria, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website or call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can also call the Victorian Aboriginal COVID Information Line on 1800 312 911. Callers will speak with Aboriginal staff who can answer questions about COVID-19 and direct them to relevant support services. The information line is open from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.