Victoria records 628 new local cases of coronavirus, Ballarat region lockdown lifted

A major Victorian region will emerge from a week-long lockdown on Wednesday night after overcoming an outbreak of Covid-19.

Ballarat is about to emerge from lockdown despite Victoria recording 628 new infections and three more deaths.

The central western Victorian region was plunged into lockdown on September 15 after infectious people returned from Melbourne.

But the Andrews government is confident the spread of the virus is “under control” and the region can safely emerge from lockdown at midnight on Wednesday.

Infections have continued to surge in Melbourne’s north with 57 per cent of cases linked to area.

Infections continue to surge in Melbourne’s north. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Deputy chief health officer Deb Friedam said of the 628 new cases there were 194 in the Hume local government area, 80 in Whittlesea, 47 in Moreland and 43 in Darebin.

There was also transmission in the western suburbs of Melbourne, including 27 cases in Melton, 52 in Wyndham and 34 in Brimbank.

In the southeast, there were 26 cases in Casey, 14 in Kardinia, seven in Stonnington and in Port Philip and seven in Kingston.

More than 43,056 Victorians turned up for a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 60,829 test results were processed on Tuesday.

Currently, 73.5 per cent of eligible Victorians have received one dose of the jab, while 44.7 per cent are double-jabbed.

There are 6223 active cases of coronavirus across the state.

Daniel Andrews says Victorians can expect an announcement later on Wednesday about more industries which will be required to mandate the vaccine for its workers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Originally published as Victoria records 628 new local cases of coronavirus, Ballarat region lockdown lifted