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The 14-day average of daily new cases in regional Victoria sits just above five, Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton says.
A two-week average of less than five new cases daily is one of the metrics regional Victoria must meet before it can take the 'third step' in the plan to move out of COVID-19 restrictions.
The other is zero new cases with an unknown source over 14 days.
Professor Sutton said he expected regional Victoria's 14-day new case average to fall below five within the next two weeks, if the situation continued tracking as it was.
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Professor Sutton said new cases in Melbourne also continued to trend downwards but there were still 1781 people still active, and they would have thousands of close contacts.
There are currently 95 active cases in regional Victoria.
Overnight Victoria has recorded 41 new cases, the lowest daily increase since June.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he was proud of "every single Victorian and the work they're doing".
To go from 725 new daily cases to 41 in one month, Mr Andrews said, showed the strategy was working.
But he said steps moving out of restrictions needed to be taken slowly to ensure it was done safely.
Tragically, another nine people aged in their 70s, 80s and 90s have died since yesterday, with eight of these connected to aged care.
There are 266 people in hospital, of whom 25 are receiving intensive care and 17 on ventilators.
Earlier
Victoria has recorded 41 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, 22 fewer cases than on Sunday.
Nine people have died from COVID-19 since yesterday, with the state's death toll now 675.
An update on the number of cases by local government area will be provided on Monday afternoon.
On Sunday, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Bendigo decreased from six to four.
Premier Daniel Andrews outlined his COVID-19 roadmap for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, with the status quo to remain for the coming week, at least.
Beyond the small concessions allowed next week from September 13, regional Victoria will have to wait for lower numbers to allow the Stage Two restrictions it enjoyed in June.
Roadmap explained
This is detailed as the third step in the roadmap when daily average number of cases must be less than five new cases over the last 14 days in Regional Victoria and no new cases in Regional Victoria with an unknown source in the last 14 days.
The key changes reaching this Step Three will allow:
- No restrictions on leaving home
- Spend time with others outside where possible
- Public gatherings: up to 10 people outdoors
- Visitors allowed at home from 1 other household (up to 5 people)
- Schools return to onsite learning from Term 4 with safety measures
- Hospitality open for predominately outdoor seated service only
- All retail open, except personal care (hairdressers open)
- No date has been set for this step.
The last stage, when public gatherings increase to 50 people outdoors or 20 visitors at home, when schools are open for onsite learning and hospitality is open for seated service, has been flagged for November 23 when there are no new cases for 14 days across Victoria.
Regional Victoria will move to COVID Normal or without restrictions subject to public health advice, when there are no new cases for 28 days and no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories.
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Nicholas Nakos
Politics reporter at the Bendigo Advertiser
Politics reporter at the Bendigo Advertiser
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
