NEW CASES: 1571 (up from 1466 yesterday)

DEATHS: 13 (up from eight yesterday)

Victoria has recorded its deadliest day of the current outbreak, with 13 people dying in one day.

The death toll is the highest in one day from the outbreak so far, which has so far claimed 114 lives.

It follows consecutive days of eight deaths earlier this week.

In total, there was 1571 new cases confirmed in the 24 hours to midnight on Tuesday.

There was a massive 79,200 tests conducted yesterday.

There are now 19,861 active cases throughout the state.

Today's 1571 cases follows yesterday's 1466 cases, 1612 on Monday, 1890 new cases on Sunday and 1965 cases on Saturday.

See how the regional Victorian vaccination race is playing out here.

Meanwhile, dozens of vulnerable newborns have been placed at risk after an infected person visited a Melbourne children's hospital NICU ward.

A Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne spokeswoman has confirmed there was an "exposure in our NICU", with rapid antigen testing to be introduced for all parents and carers.

The Herald Sun reports 29 vulnerable newborns have potentially been exposed to the virus, with two babies considered tier one contacts.

RCH will give an update on the situation later on Wednesday morning.

The hospital's cancer ward was exposed to the virus at the beginning of this month, after a patient's parent tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting over at least four days.

Elective surgeries will be paused from Thursday as the state prepares for an influx of coronavirus patients in coming weeks.

Victoria is also seeking to recruit up to 1000 healthcare workers from outside Australia.

"As COVID cases increase ... we will be progressively seeking to switch off elements of non-urgent care," Mr Foley said on Tuesday.

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