Coronavirus Victoria: 16 new infections, two more deaths

Victoria has recorded 16 new coronavirus infections the Premier prepares to outline plans to ease some restrictions in Melbourne.

Victoria has recorded 16 new coronavirus infections as Premier Daniel Andrews prepares to outline an easing of some restrictions across metropolitan Melbourne.

Two more people have died from the virus – two men aged in their 70s linked to aged care – which takes the state’s death toll since the start of the pandemic to 784.

The 14-day rolling average for Melbourne has dropped to 22.1 while in regional Victoria it is just 0.6.

There have been 31 cases with an unknown source in Melbourne in the past 14 days and zero in regional Victoria.

The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in Victoria throughout the pandemic is now about 20,140, while active cases are 399.

The Premier said it was the first time active cases in Victoria had been below 400 since June 30.

Of the new cases, the Premier said 10 were linked to outbreaks in aged care.

There are now 51 Victorians in hospital, with nine in intensive care and five of those on a ventilator.

A number of lockdown restrictions are expected to be eased in Melbourne on Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mr Andrews has remained coy all week about what chief health officer directions the state government plans to ease but Victorian case numbers are well ahead of where they were forecast to be under their road map to recovery.

The Premier said he would be making “substantial announcements” about the easing of restrictions after just 12 new cases were also recorded on Saturday.

But he said he would not be “throwing the doors open” straight away.

“People can be optimistic and really positive about the fact that the numbers are coming down,” Mr Andrews said.