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Victorians can now get their COVID-19 booster shot sooner, with the government shortening the interval from the second dose down to three months at state hubs.

The state recorded 20,769 new COVID-19 cases and 18 deaths on Wednesday, 10,726 from PCR tests and 10,043 from rapid antigen tests.

Premier Daniel Andrews said public health teams recommended the wait time between COVID-19 second dose and booster be reduced from four months to three "effective immediately".

"The total number of people eligible increases substantially by two million Victorians and it will help us get more people third-dose boosted quicker than would otherwise be the case," he told reporters in Melbourne.

New South Wales also reduced its time frame on Wednesday.

The premier's announcement comes ahead of a "booster blitz" beginning on Friday, with more walk-up capacity and 60,000 more appointments available.

State-run hubs in Sandown, Bendigo and at La Trobe University will also extend their hours.

Meanwhile, 20 Australian Defence Force personnel will arrive in Victoria on Thursday, to help with driving ambulances and freeing up paramedics.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the extra support on Wednesday, after Mr Andrews requested assistance.

There are also 12 Australian Public Service workers helping Victorian authorities to take triple zero calls, due to rising demand.

It comes as a "code brown" declaration for Victoria's hospital system came into effect at midday on Wednesday.

There are 1173 Victorians in hospital with COVID-19, an increase of 21 on Tuesday's figures, of which 125 are in ICU and 42 on ventilation.

Authorities are expecting hospital admissions from the current Omicron wave to skyrocket in the coming weeks, prompting the code brown alert to ensure hospitals can postpone or defer less urgent care.

Some hospital staff may be reassigned or recalled from leave, however leave will only be cancelled if "absolutely necessary".

A code brown of this scale has never previously been declared across the Victorian health system.

It applies to all metropolitan Melbourne public hospitals and major hospitals in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury Wodonga and Traralgon.

More than 4000 healthcare workers are currently isolating after either testing positive for COVID-19 or becoming close contacts.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Karen Price said the change would likely funnel more patients to GPs and general practice teams, placing them under increasing pressure.

"GPs and general practice teams will step up once again and do all we can for our patients, but we will need a helping hand from government," Dr Price said, suggesting several federal reform commitments for the upcoming election.

© AAP 2022

Image: (AAP Image/Chronis)

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A man will appear in court today charged after a police station in the state’s Shoalhaven region was damaged by fire.

Just after 10.50pm overnight, a man allegedly entered Nowra Police Station with a lit Molotov cocktail, before throwing it at the front counter and fleeing on foot.

Officers established a perimeter and commenced inquiries to locate the man.

The fire was extinguished by police and no injuries were reported.

The walls and floor sustained damage.

Following inquiries, a 29-year-old man was arrested on Kalandar Street, Nowra, about 11.10 pm.

The man was taken back to Nowra Police Station where he was charged with damage property by fire/explosive with intent to injure and damage property by fire/explosive.

Image: Glenn Ellard 

 

 

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There were 34,660 positive COVID-19 cases notified to 8pm last night, including 13,682 positive rapid antigen tests and 20,978 positive PCR tests.

Of the 13,682 positive Rapid Antigen Test results, 11,204 of these positive tests were from the previous seven days.

4,063 new Coronavirus cases are from the South Western Sydney Local Health District.

1,755 are from the Hunter New England Local Health District.

489 new cases are from Southern NSW.

1,458 new COVID-19 infections are from the Illawarra Shoalhaven L.H.D.

  • 832 cases from Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA)
  • 350 cases from Shellharbour LGA .
  • 222 cases from Shoalhaven LGA .
  • 54 cases from Kiama LGA.

There are 2579 active COVID-19 cases in the Wingecarribee.

NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of 20 people with COVID-19, 12 men and eight women.

Of the 20 people who died,

  • 14 people were vaccinated against COVID-19
  • six people were not vaccinated.

Of the 18 people over the age of 65,

  • 13 people were vaccinated
  • five were not vaccinated.

Six people were from south-western Sydney.

One person was from the Wollongong area.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 868.

There are currently 2,650 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 191 people in intensive care, 61 of whom require ventilation.

Across NSW, 95.2 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

93.8 per cent have received two doses to Friday January 14.

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Two men have died in separate motorcycle crashes in the state’s south.

Emergency services were called to Junction Point Road, Tuena, just before 3 pm on Saturday, following reports a motorcycle had crashed into safety railing.

The rider, a 57-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.

In a separate incident, emergency services were called to Brayton Road, Marulan, at about 6.25pm, after reports a motorcycle had struck a tree.

Upon arrival, a 62-year-old man was located near the motorcycle and was unable to be revived.

Officers from The Hume Police District established crime scenes at both crash sites, which were examined by specialist forensic police.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crashes are underway.

Reports will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Image: NSW Police Facebook