Victoria is on the brink of reaching its 90 per cent full-vaccination milestone as its daily COVID-19 cases jumped by nearly 400.
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The health department confirmed 89.8 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, after 3358 jabs were administered at state-run hubs on Tuesday.
With that figure rising 0.5 per cent on the previous day, the state is likely to hit 90 per cent sometime on Wednesday - the date initially flagged by health authorities when the target was first announced.
The Victorian government eased a raft of restrictions on Friday, including the scrapping of hospitality venue caps and masks in most indoor settings, predicting it would reach the target at the weekend.
A further three deaths and 1196 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Wednesday, up from 827 cases on Tuesday.
It brings the number of active infections in the state to 9774, including 284 in hospital, lowering the seven-day average to 308.
There are 52 people in intensive care who are actively infectious, while 53 of them have been cleared of the virus. Twenty-nine of those 105 ICU patients are on a ventilator.
The latest deaths were people in their 60s, 70s and 90s, and take the state's toll from the pandemic to 1302.
Some 72,754 tests were processed on Tuesday and senior Victorian minister Jaclyn Symes said the high swab numbers showed diligence.
"The best way to continue to stay open is to get vaccinated and to do all things possible to reduce our case numbers," she told reporters in Port Melbourne.
It comes as people clamour for inner-Melbourne dining rebates, with more than half of a $5 million midweek voucher scheme designed to lure people into the city after lockdown were gobbled up in six days.
Diners are able to claim 30 per cent off bills - up to $150 - at inner Melbourne restaurants, cafes and bars where meals are served between Monday and Thursday.
The City of Melbourne revealed $450,000 has been claimed on average each day, compared with $250,000 daily in the previous round.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the strong demand was expected to result in the funds drying up next week.
"If you want to take advantage of the scheme, it's time to make plans to dine in the coming days to make sure you don't miss out," she said in a statement on Wednesday.
Australian Associated Press
