Victoria records 13,507 Covid cases and 35 deaths

Victoria has reported 13,507 new Covid infections overnight and 35 people have died with the virus, which is up on the 29 deaths recorded on Tuesday.

The health department confirmed half of the positive results were from rapid antigen testing and the other half from PCRs.

The new figures come after it was revealed Victorian schools may be forced to stagger drop-off and pick-up times and set up several exits around school sites, in a major overhaul that would limit the spread of Covid.

The state government has recommended schools consider new steps to stop parents and students from crowding around drop-off and pick-up areas, ahead of Term 1 next week.

Victorian health Minister Martin Foley on Tuesday said there would be a rise in cases once school returned, despite cases being on a downward trend in recent days.

“Once school goes back we expect to see an uptick in cases,” he said.

“We just want to make sure the community is aware and prepared and more importantly, as we come to deal with how we coexist with Covid, that we all understand the different options, should Covid come our way.”

More to come