VICTORIA recorded an upsurge in the number of people being immunised on Monday during day one of the new rollout phase.
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New Department of health data suggests strong numbers were seen statewide.
Just under 7000 people got the jab in the 24 hours to midnight on the first day that all people aged 50 and over became eligible for the vaccine.
That was up on the 3839 immunisations over the same period a week ago; numbers fluctuated between 3500 and 4500 on most days last week.
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Meanwhile, a top federal health official told leaders Australians could die if his recommendations for India travel bans were enacted, it has emerged.
Australian chief medical officer Paul Kelly did not recommend fines and jail time but did note those were possibilities under biosecurity laws.
He said the advice and eventual flight ban was based on the possibility of a third wave of infections breaking out of Australian hotel quarantine.
Analysis by the Wimmera Mail-Times' sister paper the Canberra Times has noted key players in the nation's capital agreed the move is "drastic" but that there are widely divergent views about whether it is acceptable.
"Now in these extraordinary times, is this a political line in the sand or not?" the paper asked.
The government is closely watching the unfolding situation in India, the Australian Associated Press is reporting.
Victorian authorities said that more than 14,000 people were tested for COVID-19 on Monday and one returning overseas traveller was diagnosed with the virus.
That person is currently in hotel quarantine.
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