Victoria records 12 new coronavirus cases, two more deaths

Victoria has recorded 12 new virus cases, pointing to a possible easing of lockdown restrictions earlier than scheduled.

Victoria has recorded 12 new virus cases and two more deaths on Thursday, the Department of Health has confirmed.

The low figure means Melbourne’s crucial 14-day average remains below 30, now standing at 26.7.

It also points towards a possible easing of lockdown restrictions before the scheduled date in late October.

Metropolitan Melbourne’s 14-day average has achieved the state’s 30 to 50 case range required to move to the second step on the State Government’s COVID-19 road map recovery plan from September 28.

That step will allow childcare centres to reopen, schools to begin a staged return to classrooms and outdoor gatherings of up to five people from two households.

A COVID-19 testing site in Casey. Picture: Daniel Pockett/NCA NewsWire

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was adamant the controversial stage 4 lockdown strategy was working.

“This is a day when all Victorians can see that this strategy is working,” he said on Wednesday.

“Because of your hard work, because of all of the things that you’re doing and giving up, the numbers are coming down. And as they continue to fall, we will be able to find that COVID-normal.

“Because once you get the numbers low, you can keep them low. That’s the experience, that’s what we’re aiming for, and that’s what the strategy is fundamentally delivering.”

It comes after calls for Mr Andrews to sack his health minister after a leading health union boss accused Jenny Mikakos of “breathtaking incompetence”.

Health Workers Union boss Diana Asmar begged the Premier to demand Ms Mikakos’s resignation.

“For the good of your government, for the good of health workers I represent, and for the good of all Victorians, Ms Mikakos must go,” she wrote in a letter to Mr Andrews on Wednesday.

Mr Andrews will front the media later on Thursday.