BHS would not divulge how many people with COVID-19 were under in-hospital care or the intensive care unit in the BHS Base Hospital, due to privacy reasons, only to say that up to this point such rates had remained low.

This comes as Victoria recorded its far highest COVID-19 daily case toll of 5,137 infections - up about 3,700 on a day before. There were 10 new cases recorded in Ballarat on Thursday.

Ballarat's COVID-19 active cases have continued to steadily climb this month, revised to 89 in total on Thursday, and are about 3.6 times higher than December 1. This came after an initial spike, reaching 70 active cases, when the regional Victoria first re-opened to Melburnians in early November.

Most Ballarat cases are linked to household contacts or events, particularly in Melbourne where the virus was more prevalent.

Grampians Public Health Unit medical director Rosemary Aldrich told media this week Ballarat's COVID-19 case numbers were proportionally lower than most other regions in the state.

Professor Aldrich said a rise was expected due to the state opening up but that Ballarat was "not out of the woods" and, without careful prevention, case numbers in the region could soar.

Isolation periods for COVID-positive cases and close contacts are slashed from New Year's Eve in VIctoria.

Fully vaccinated positive cases will be able to leave isolation after seven days of taking the test, but will need to return a negative rapid antigen test on day six.

Close contacts, redefined to household or those who spend four hours with a positive case, will be able to leave isolation after seven days if they return a negative rapid antigen test on day six.

Changes come after a national cabinet meeting to alleviate testing site demand.

International arrivals to New South Wales will also only be required to take a rapid antigen test on arrival.

RELATED COVERAGE

BHS's Creswick Road site, which has been processing more than 800 tests each day since Christmas, will operate in limited hours on Friday and Saturday due to expected severe heat. The drive-through clinic will be open 7.30am to 1.30pm both days.

The BHS COVID Positive Assessment Zone, a specially adapted tent outside the emergency department, remains on standby to triage a potential surge in COVID-19 case presentations.

BHS has reported an increase in presentations to the ED with an estimated two-thirds not requiring hospital admission. This has included people seeking COVID-19 tests, which the ED does not offer.

BHS is also exploring the potential of a virtual triage model, offering people online or phone advice for non-emergency cases.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.