11.00am
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NEW saliva testing is being rolled out to meat industries after a trial in Bendigo and other sites.
A full program will role out at Hazeldene's following the tests.
Hazeldene's was one of the epicentres of central Victoria's second wave, along with KR Castlemaine and the Catholic school system.
Health researchers have been refining saliva testing after concerns were raised earlier in the year that they were not as effective as nasal swabs.
10.50am
HEALTH authorities say two of the 11 new cases today were recorded in regional areas, none in central Victoria.
One is connected to Kilmore's outbreak, the other is in Mildura.
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However, Premier Daniel Andrews says the Mildura case is a low positive and health care workers believe further testing will likely prove it to have been negative.
Mr Andrews says saliva testing will be rolled out to high risk industries including in workplaces outside Bendigo.
That includes in industries where people work in close proximity to each other like meatworks.
10am
Premier Daniel Andrews said regional Victoria won't be held back by Melbourne in its bid to return to COVID-normal.
The remarks come as Mr Andrews was questioned by regional media on Thursday morning about the COVID-19 roadmap.
The next step of the roadmap for regional Victorians requires no new virus cases in the state for 14 days.
The Last Step allows public gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors, up to 20 visitors at home and galleries, museums and other entertainment venues reopening.
"The aim has always been to keep restrictions in Melbourne and regional Victoria as closely aligned as possible, but the issue is under constant review," Mr Andrews said.
"If Melbourne is more stubborn than we had thought, we will give a very detailed consideration to regional Victoria taking some further small steps so that we can continue to have activity, jobs and recovery in regional Victoria," Mr Andrews said.
"We won't have regional Victoria held back by some of the challenges we've faced in Melbourne.
Premier Daniel Andrews said one new COVID-19 case has been detected in Kilmore, following almost 300 tests in the town on Wednesday.
The cases are linked to an outbreak at the Oddfellows Cafe, which is now responsible for four active cases.
"Given the amount of testing in Kilmore, I'm glad to say we have only found one extra case," Mr Andrews said.
More than 500 Kilmore residents have been tested for COVID-19 since the outbreak was discovered.
Mr Andrews will speak to Melbourne media on Thursday morning, with the Department of Health and Human Services' daily update expected on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier
VICTORIA has recorded 11 new cases of COVID-19 and no deaths overnight.
The Department of Health and Human Services says metropolitan Melbourne's 14-day rolling average is also down.
Health authorities expect to release more details about the 11 new cases later today.
More news:
Regional Victoria had no new cases yesterday.
An outbreak at Kilmore remained at two cases but hundreds were urged to get tested and self-isolate after being connected to an area where infected people dined.
The virus was spread to the town by a person visiting from Melbourne.
More to come.
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