Victoria has recorded 13 coronavirus-related deaths and more than 5000 new cases of the virus on Thursday.
The 5137 daily cases is a new record in the state as the Victorian government said people will be able to pick up free rapid testing kits by showing the ID at pop-up collection points around the state.
They’re expected to be publicly available by the end of the month, but the exact sites to pick testing kits up from haven’t been confirmed.
“Rapid antigen tests should be free, and we will be making them free,” Health Minister Martin Foley said on Wednesday.
Greater Shepparton recorded 27 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday for a total of 93 active cases. The increase followed two consecutive days of three new cases.
Thirteen new cases were recorded in Campaspe Shire, five in Strathbogie Shire, 24 in Mitchell Shire, five in Moira and just one in Benalla.
The Victorian case numbers came from more than 81,000 tests.
Three hundred and ninety five people are in hospital, 55 are in the ICU, and 23 on a ventilator.
The rapid testing will be a major discussion point at National Cabinet on Thursday, along with interstate travel testing requirements and a nation-wide definition of close contacts.
NSW recorded 12,226 new active cases from 97,201 tests, with 746 people in hospital and 63 in ICUs. One person died from the virus.
Queensland registered 2222 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday.