COVID-19 case numbers have continued to track low across the state this week, with most days recording fewer than 20 new cases.
State-wide, the latest figures reported there were 14 new cases recorded overnight to Friday and eight lives lost.
There were 12 new cases recorded overnight to Thursday, bringing the total number of Victorian cases to 20,105.
There are 532 cases still classed as active, but only 10 of those are in regional Victoria where the average number of diagnosed cases over the past 14 days is 1.1.
Two more lives were lost overnight, bringing the state’s total number of lives lost to the virus to 773.
In his daily update on Thursday, Premier Daniel Andrews said the low numbers prove restrictions are working.
“Twelve cases is another very good day, these numbers are coming down and this strategy is working,” he said.
“Today should be a day when Victorians are positive to have another day of lower case numbers — the trend is with us.”
The daily infection rate has seen a huge improvement this week — from Monday to Thursday there were a total 66 new cases recorded, down significantly compared to the 147 cases recorded over the same period last week.
The Central Goldfields, which has had a total of two cases during the pandemic, has been free of active cases since September 2.
The Pyrenees (three total cases), Mount Alexander (9), Hepburn (2) and Loddon (4) shires also have no active cases.
Metro Melbourne, which has a different roadmap to regional Victoria due to higher case numbers, is currently in Step One and on Wednesday, Mr Andrews said it may be able to move to Step Two earlier than expected.
“We’re well on track to make some further announcements on Sunday,” he said.
“Sunday will not be a day of massive steps, it’s not a day where we throw open the doors, it will be steady and safe steps.”
Currently Melbourne cannot move to Step Two until at least September 28, and when the average daily new case rate over 14 days drops to 30-50 cases.
The average for metro areas is currently at 26.7.
Step Two for Melbourne will see changes including public outdoor gatherings can increase to five people from a maximum of two households, outdoor personal training will be allowed with up to two people per trainer, outdoor pools will open, and a staged return to on site learning will begin in term four for students from grades prep to two, VCE/VCAL and specialist schools.
