Genomic testing is underway to find out if an overseas arrival who tested positive to COVID-19 in Victoria's hotel quarantine has the Omicron variant.
The fully vaccinated person arrived on December 3 from the Netherlands via Abu Dhabi before opting to undergo hotel quarantine.
The individual recorded a negative COVID-19 test on December 4, but tested positive once they developed symptoms on December 6.
The positive result detected an S gene dropout, which indicates potential Omicron infection.
Health authorities said the individual was not in the community while infectious, and they were now investigating the source of infection.
Passengers on the same flight were being assessed to make sure they undertook a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Victoria.
It comes as the state records 1,185 new local COVID-19 cases and seven deaths of people in their 40s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
There are now 13,050 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 566 people have died during the state's current Delta outbreak.
There are 297 people in hospital with COVID-19, of whom 47 are in intensive care and 25 are on a ventilator.
Victoria records first Indigenous deaths
Two Aboriginal people have died from COVID-19 in Victoria, marking the first Indigenous deaths from coronavirus in the state.
Health authorities said a 68-year-old woman with COVID-19 died from an underlying condition, and a 73-year-old man who had other health conditions also passed away.
In response to the Omicron variant of coronavirus, all international arrivals to Victoria are required to undertake 72 hours of quarantine, and tests on days one, five and seven following their arrival.
Read more about the Omicron variant:
The state's seven-day average remains at below 1,200 new daily infections, where it has been for roughly the last month.
The health department said a further 55 people were in intensive care but their COVID-19 infections were no longer considered active.
The new cases were detected from 52,257 test results received yesterday.
There were 3,769 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites yesterday, and more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues.
Victoria has now fully vaccinated more than 91 per cent of its population aged 12 and over.
Holiday loneliness on the rise, survey suggests
A Red Cross survey has found more people are feeling lonely in the lead up to Christmas, with around 30 per cent of participants saying they were less excited about the holiday this year, an increase from 2020.
But Penny Harrison from the Red Cross said there were some positive findings from the study, with the pandemic potentially increasing our ability to empathise with one another.
"Three-quarters of people are saying we really need to look out for people experiencing vulnerability," she said.
"I think that's probably because we've all experienced this pandemic ... and perhaps we've got a greater degree of empathy for people."
