No virus deaths in Victoria, as 42 new cases reported

No coronavirus deaths have been reported in Victoria in the past 24 hours, as the second wave continues to subside.

Health authorities today confirmed there were 42 new cases.

Victoria's death toll sits at 729, the overwhelming majority in Australia's total of 816 deaths.

The 14-day average case for metropolitan Melbourne is 52.9 and regional Victoria 3.6.

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Yesterday, Victoria recorded 35 new infections, in what was the lowest daily number for almost 12 weeks.

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Victoria's health officials say two suburbs in Melbourne's south-east now account for a quarter of new coronavirus infections.

Nine of yesterday's cases have been linked to Hallam and neighbouring Narre Warren.

There are 118 Victorians currently hospitalised with the disease.

Regional Victoria's restrictions to ease

Regional Victoria will open up from 11:59pm tomorrow night after recording less than five cases for a 14-day period.

"It is such good news, I am so, so pleased and proud of every single regional Victorian who has stayed the course, followed the rules, got tested. They've done an amazing job," Premier Daniel Andrews said.

"And I know it hasn't been easy, because there have been many communities where, to the best of our knowledge, there has not been virus."

Under the "third step", regional Victorians will no longer be subject to staying at home unless leaving for four reasons; outdoor gathering limits will increase to 10 people and up to five visitors will be able to visit from a nominated household.

Victoria's latest coronavirus outbreaks

Highest number of active cases:

•             13 active cases are currently linked to Bulla Dairy Foods in Colac (total cases: 20)

•             8 active cases are currently linked to Vawdrey Australia Truck Manufacturer (total cases: 61)

•             7 active cases are currently linked to Footscray Hospital (total cases: 7)

•             7 active cases are currently linked to Wydinia Kindergarten in Colac (total cases: 13)

•             6 active cases are currently linked to Dandenong Police Station (total cases: 14)

Restrictions easing a 'dry run' for Melbourne

The success of regional Victoria's transition into a more open economy will be treated as a 'dry run' for the more populated areas of Melbourne.

"What regional Victoria are doing now will be a dry run for what will happen in Melbourne," Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Allen Cheng said.

"I expect that we'll be making the same sort of assessment hopefully in a number of weeks' time to say that it's safe for Melbourne to open up."

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians.

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