Victoria has recorded 1,173 new local COVID-19 cases and nine deaths.
There are now 16,413 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 361 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.
Victoria's ambulance union says a Code Red — indicating the service had reached capacity — could be declared this weekend, amid unprecedented pressure on its officers.
There are 568 people in hospital in Victoria with COVID-19, of whom 96 are in intensive care, and 63 are on a ventilator.
The new cases were detected from 56,649 test results received yesterday.
There were 13,913 doses of vaccine given at state-run centres yesterday, as well as more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues.
Code Red likely for ambulance service
Premier Daniel Andrews urged Victorians to only call triple-0 in an emergency.
It comes as Victoria's Ambulance Union warns Code Red alerts will be enacted more frequently in the months ahead, as the service struggles to cope with unprecedented demand.
A Code Red alert could be issued this weekend, which means Ambulance Victoria has exhausted its ability to meet patient needs.
Code Red was previously issued during the Black Saturday bushfires and the 2016 thunderstorm asthma event.
Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said many paramedics were suffering burnout, and were overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and people who had postponed seeing GPs about chronic health conditions during the pandemic.
"We're just seeing a perfect storm with everything that's been going on with regards to the pandemic," Mr Hill said.
Mr Andrews said the pressure on hospitals would "pass in time" as the demand from COVID-19 subsides, but said the coming weeks would be difficult for health workers.
"They are under very significant pressure, there's no question about that," Mr Andrews said.
"I would just ask every single Victorian, if it's not an emergency, please do not call triple-0."
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Victoria records 1,173 new local COVID-19 cases and nine deaths - ABC News
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