Vic hospitals prepare for COVID-19 influx

Victoria's hospitals are preparing for a wave of COVID-19 patients in coming weeks, as the state eyes eased restrictions once more people are vaccinated.

On Friday Victoria passed its target of 70 per cent first-dose vaccinations for eligible recipients, after a record 43,993 jabs were delivered at state-run hubs in the preceding 24 hours.

The state recorded 510 new coronavirus infections on Friday - 95 per cent from Melbourne's north and west - and a woman aged in her 50s died.

The number of COVID-19 patients being admitted to the state's hospitals has risen by more than 450 per cent in recent weeks, with 37 patients three weeks ago and 208 patients in hospital on Friday.

There are 49 people in ICU with COVID-19, and 32 of those are on ventilators.

More than 100,000 doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health workers issued a joint plea through their unions for "accurate modelling" on expected ambulance demand, hospitalisations, intensive care patients and deaths.

Health Minister Martin Foley said these workers had "shared their concerns very forcefully" with the state government.

"They've expressed, quite rightly, their concerns about what would happen if we continue to have high levels of uncontrolled infections in our community," he said.

"We're working with them, and we're working with our health services, to make sure that we have plans in place to try to avoid that."

He said capacity is being scaled up across Northern, Alfred and Royal Melbourne hospitals as well as specialist children's and women's hospitals in Melbourne with 500 ICU beds available and 4000 ventilators.

Preparations are also underway to bring other hospitals in Melbourne and regional Victoria up to speed.

"Our health workers have been absolute champions for all Victorians over the last 20 months and are fatigued and are tired and nonetheless know that there are huge challenges for them in the next couple of weeks, if not month, ahead as we expect this current trajectory of infections to rise," Mr Foley said.

Vaccinations are the main route to avoid escalating hospitalisation rates, the minister added, with 87 per cent of hospital patients not vaccinated, 12 per cent partially and less than one per cent fully vaccinated.

"The best thing we can all do, if those numbers increase, is get ahead of that increase by following the rules, getting tested and getting vaccinated," Mr Foley said.

The state government on Sunday plans to reveal "careful, measured processes" to ease COVID restrictions, taking into account "first and foremost" the safety and wellbeing of Victorians.

Meanwhile, modest changes to restrictions for Melbourne and Ballarat will come into effect at 11.59pm on Friday to mark Victoria reaching its first vaccine target.

Among the changes, people will be able to meet one person from another household for a walk or picnic, outdoor exercise time is doubled and the travel limit expanded to 10km.

Fully vaccinated adults can see five people from two households, plus dependants for a picnic.

Mr Foley clarified some confusion about whether people gathering in small groups will be targeted by police for drinking takeaway alcohol.

"Once you get your takeaway, whatever it is, move away before you consume it," he said.

While police will not enforce whether groups of five have all been fully vaccinated, he warned they will enforce "spontaneous group of 30, 40, 50".

Opposition MP Tim Smith said the restrictions were "becoming farcical".