Victoria records 989 new local cases of coronavirus

Victoria has recorded 989 new Covid-19 cases, the first time infections have been below 1000 since September.

Victoria has recorded 989 new local Covid-19 cases on Tuesday as the state looks towards its next major vaccine target.

It is the first time daily infections have been below 1000 since late September.

Nine more Victorians died with the virus in the past 24 hours, the Department of Health also confirmed.

The state’s hospitalisations have also dropped like the new case figures, with 32 fewer people in hospital from Monday.

The number of people in intensive and on a ventilator has also fallen. The Delta outbreak has now claimed 318 lives.

About 92 per cent of Victorians above the age of 16 have received one jab and 81 per cent have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The 90 per cent double-dose vaccination rate is predicted to be achieved around November 24.

About 92 per cent of Victorians above the age of 16 had received one jab and 81 per cent had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Picture: Dylan Coker

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews previously flagged that there would be “no caps anywhere” beyond that date.

“There will be no density limits anywhere,” he said.

“Masks will only be required in high risk indoor settings, such as public transport, prisons, hospitals, aged care, to give you some examples.

”I want to see 80,000 plus people at the Boxing (Day) Test on day one.

“It won’t be easy, but we are very confident, very, very confident that we will be able to deliver that.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews previously flagged that there would be ‘no caps anywhere’ beyond November 24. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Eased restrictions across Victoria linked to the state reaching its 80 per cent double-dose target came into force two days early on Friday.

Those relaxed rules meant shops, gyms and other retail businesses could reopen.

Masks were scrapped outdoors.

Hairdressers reopened with no caps if all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.

Most outdoor settings now have a limit of up to 500 people, where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.

The same indoor and outdoor settings also apply to host weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if all attendees are fully vaccinated, with caps of 30 people for weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if vaccination status is unknown.

Originally published as Victoria records 989 new local cases of coronavirus