Coronavirus Victoria: 28 new cases recorded, eight more deaths

Victoria has recorded 28 new cases and eight more deaths on Thursday as a key number continues to fall to a level that could ease restrictions.

Victoria has recorded 28 new coronavirus infections as daily cases continue to trend downwards.

It’s the lowest number of daily cases in Victoria since 20 infections were recorded on June 24.

It means the average daily case number for metropolitan Melbourne continues to fall and now sits at 44.4, meaning Melbourne is on track for a much-anticipated easing of restrictions.

Metropolitan Melbourne must reach an average daily case rate of between 30 and 50 cases over the preceding fortnight to trigger an easing of lockdown measures from September 28.

The daily average in regional Victoria is 2.9.

The daily average case number is calculated by averaging out the number of new cases over the past 14 days.

There are 83 cases from an unknown source in metropolitan Melbourne, up two from Wednesday, and one case in regional Victoria.

Restrictions eased to stage 2 in regional Victoria overnight, meaning there are now no restrictions on reasons for travel and restaurants and pubs and cafes can reopen for onsite service with safety measures in place.

The Calder Freeway checkpoint at Gisborne as COVID-19 restriction ease in regional Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Melburnians caught trying to flee the city into regional Victoria have been warned they could be fined almost $5000 for leaving the restricted area without a valid reason.

A new offence of failing to comply with the requirement to remain in a restricted area will come into force from 11.59pm on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said police would be highly visible and active to prevent Melburnians from entering country Victoria, particularly during school holidays.

“We do not want regional and rural communities to be put at risk by Melbourne metropolitan people,” Mr Nugent said on Wednesday.

The figures were released by the Department of Health and Human Services over Twitter on Thursday morning, with more detail expected later at the Premier’s media conference.

Eight more people have died from the virus, taking the state’s death toll since the start of the pandemic to 745.

The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in Victoria since the start of the pandemic is about 19,960.

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