Victoria records 28 new coronavirus cases, three more deaths

Victoria has recorded a slight spike in virus cases with 28 positive results and three more deaths as the state remains on track for lockdown relief.

The Victorian Premier says Melbourne is on track to move to the second stage of eased restrictions as the state recorded a slight spike in virus cases with 28, and three more deaths, the Department of Health has confirmed.

It comes after the state recorded just 11 on Monday – the state’s lowest daily tally since June 16.

Melbourne’s 14-day average continues its downward trend, dipping to 32.8.

It means the city could be on track to an easing of restrictions before the scheduled date.

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 14-day rolling average for regional Victoria is still at 1.6.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews raised the possibility of easing some restrictions as early as Sunday.

“We are poised to take some significant steps, albeit they are safe and steady steps on Sunday,” he said on Monday.

“We are in that 30-50 band and it looks like we are going to stay there. That is really very, very important.”

Under the easing of restrictions, childcare will reopen and public gatherings will be permitted of up to five people, a rise from the previous number of two. Full details can be found here.

No new cases have been linked to the Casey community cluster in Melbourne’s southeast, which is at the centre of 43 cases. There are none in regional Victoria.

“There haven’t been cases in that cluster for two days, which is very reassuring,” Victoria’s deputy chief health officer Alan King said.

“There are still close contacts being monitored among those households so it’s obviously possible and probably likely that some of those may become positive.”