Victoria has leapfrogged New South Wales to set a new national record for daily COVID-19 cases, recording 51,356 in 24 hours.
The increase comes after the state established a reporting system for at-home rapid antigen tests, which is not in place yet for NSW.
Of the new cases, 26,428 were detected from rapid tests and 24,928 were detected from PCR tests.
The state recorded nine deaths in 24 hours, taking the total death toll for the current outbreak to 752.
There are 644 Victorians hospitalised, with 106 patients in ICU and 24 of those on ventilators.
A further 48 patients whose infections are no longer active are still receiving care in ICU.
Health authorities processed 89,518 PCR tests yesterday, with 83,990 cases now active across the state.
NSW has recorded an almost 40 per cent COVID-19 positive testing rate in the latest reporting period, which saw 45,098 COVID-19 cases and nine deaths.
Hospitalisations have risen by 57, bringing the total number of COVID patients admitted for treatment to 1,795.
There are also 145 people in intensive care, up another 11 in the latest reporting period.
There were 116,915 COVID swabs taken, making the positivity rate 38.57 per cent.
A new reporting system will allow people to log positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results with Service NSW, which will be made available next week and will likely drive this figure up further.
The latest report comes as NSW reinstates a ban on dancing and singing in hospitality, entertainment venues and major recreational facilities today.
This prohibition will not apply to weddings.
Major events may also be subjected to risk assessments from health authorities and could be postponed at their discretion.
The adjustments are expected to be lifted on January 27
