ACTIVE COVID–19 cases numbers are continuing to rise across the North East.

Wangaratta's active cases rose from 210 on Friday to 233 yesterday, with 37 new cases in the 24 hours to 9am Sunday.

According to the State Government's Coronavirus website, other local government areas in the North East are following a rising trend.

In the 24 hours to 9am yesterday:

• Wodonga had 79 new cases and a total of 472 active cases;

• Alpine Shire had 18 new cases and a total of 134 active cases;

• Indigo Shire had 24 new cases and a total of 172 active cases;

• Benalla had 11 new cases and a total of 85 active cases;

• Moira Shire had 31 new cases and a total of 233 active cases; and

• Mansfield Shire had 19 new cases and a total of 76 active cases.

Increasing cases of the Omicron BA.5 variant across the country saw federal and state governments announce several new initiatives over the weekend, headlined by a decision to reinstate the $750 pandemic isolation payment until the end of September (story page 10).

The Victorian Government also announced several new measures yesterday, including additional health specialists for 12 major hospitals predominantly in the metro area to help healthcare workers deal with the the rise in hospitalisation.

The governments' action came as health authorities warned that there was "Worse to come", with several million people likely to get COVID over the next few months.

Premier Daniel Andrews said every Victorian can play their part in supporting the health system this winter by staying up to date with vaccinations, wearing a face mask, maintaining good ventilation indoors, getting tested if feeling unwell and discussing antiviral treatment options with their GP if they know they're at risk.

Northeast Health Wangaratta is continuing to operate its drive–thru COVID screening clinic in Vincent Road on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 8am to 11am, with PCR tests and (Rapid Antigen Test) RATs available.

A positive result on a RAT is treated the same way as a positive PCR test and all positive results must be reported at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report

If you test positive to COVID–19, or have been told you are a contact, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist for information on what to do next.