Vic health minister enters COVID isolation

Victoria's health minister has been forced into seven-day quarantine after a family member tested positive for COVID-19, as the state's case numbers grow.

Martin Foley said he returned a negative rapid antigen but since he was a close contact he would undergo isolation, meaning he will miss the first half of state parliament sitting week.

"I feel healthy, so I'll continue working remotely and will be doing regular tests," he tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.

The minister held a press conference about vaccinations in Sunshine earlier on Wednesday.

Victoria has seen a 10 per cent rise in COVID-19 case numbers week-on-week, as the state government pushes vaccinations ahead of winter.

The state's daily COVID-19 figure, of 9426 new infections, is the highest since posting 9908 on February 9.

Another eight people have died, taking the toll to 2657 since the pandemic began.

The BA.2 sub variant of the Omicron strain now accounts for 50 per cent of cases in Victoria, according to waste water analysis.

Authorities say, while it is more infectious, the COVID-19 third vaccine dose remains effective against it.

"We're seeing over the last couple of weeks around a 10 per cent underlying increase week-on-week of case numbers," COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar told reporters.

"Winter is coming. We are now in a position where you need to ensure you've had your third dose protection because we're going to see (in) colder months more people gathering and greater spread particularly on this BA.2 two sub-lineage that's now starting to increase its prevalence."

The state is rolling out 120 pop-up vaccination clinics in local government areas with the lowest take-up of booster shots.

The largest hub, the Royal Exhibition Building, will close on March 23 since more GPs, pharmacies and local vaccination clinics are now available.

Victoria has 62.9 per cent of residents aged 18 and over vaccinated with three COVID-19 vaccine doses.

People in hospital with COVID-19 stands at 201 patients. Of those, 24 are in intensive care, including six who are on ventilation.