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Victoria will enter its sixth lockdown from 8pm on Thursday.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the decision after the state recorded another two new COVID-19 cases on top of the six announced Thursday morning.
The snap lockdown will run for seven days. READ THE LATEST ON LOCKDOWN HERE
12.30pm
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said there was no word on any lockdown at this time.
"We have nothing to say at this time," he said.
"We get public health advice that will show that as quickly as it possibly can. We consider all the evidence and material as it comes to hand. As you heard, particularly from Jeroen, a lot of the information is collated at the moment.
"We need to look upstream for the source and the further case that Jeroen ported to from family acquisition that has emerged to date and we need to look downstream at exposure sites are putting all that together, our public health team will make a risk assessment and will bring forward their decision as and when it is made."
Mr Foley was asked by reporters on Thursday if there were any discussions about a possible lockdown.
"There are always discussions about how to best respond to change in public health issues," he said.
"We have been upfront and transparent on what those discussions are, where the risks are and the processes that the public health team are going through.
"When the public health team collate and bring all that information to bear, should that see a change of circumstances, we would certainly share that in a timely matter."
Noon
HEALTH officials have confirmed two further positive coronavirus cases, on top of the six confirmed on Thursday morning.
They are close contacts of the Newport football player who works as an optometrist in Caroline Springs.
The two cases will be included in Friday's morning's numbers.
Health Minister Martin Foley broke down the six new cases recorded on Thursday morning.
"Three of the six cases from yesterday relate to close contacts of the already understood Mooney Valley case, from a few days ago, indeed, a week or so ago," he said.
"Those three are primary close contacts of that particular cluster. And have been isolating throughout the time of their infectious period. So that's three of the six.
"In regards to the other three, one was a case that was identified late Wednesday. He lives in the city of Maribyrnong, and the source of that infection is unknown. And we're conducting - it came in quite late last night - we're conducting interviews both last night and again today... So that's four.
"The case reported late yesterday that resides in Hobson's Bay local government area is the case that works at the school in Truganina.
"A household contact of that case has also tested positive. So, that brings the case number to six cases."
Mr Foley said there are seven people in hospital as a result of COVID, two of those are in ICU and both are on ventilators.
"We send our warmest and deepest support to those people and know that they are in very good hands in Victoria's public health system," he said.
Mr Foley said today's numbers are a reminder the virus has not gone away.
Meanwhile, NSW recorded 262 new locally acquired cases, with 43 infectious in the community while the isolation status of 80 cases remains under investigation.
Of the five deaths, three were men in their 60s, one was a man in his 70s and the other was a woman in her 80s.
Earlier
VICTORIA has recorded six new cases of coronavirus overnight on Wednesday as the state's active cases drops to 80.
Included in this tally is one case announced on Wednesday afternoon: a teacher at Al-Taqwa College in Truganina who is isolating and being interviewed by health officials.
Of the six new locally-acquired cases, investigations are continuing into three cases.
The remaining three cases are all linked to the current outbreaks and were in quarantine during their infectious period.
In total, there were more than 27,000 tests returned and 17,000 vaccinations administered on Wednesday.
Bendigo Health chair Bob Cameron and Federal Minister for Bendigo Lisa Chesters both thanked the central Victorian community, health professionals and media for encouraging the city to get vaccinated and claim top spot on the Australian first dose chart.
More than 52.6 per cent of eligible residents aged 15 and over have rolled up the sleeves to receive their first dose of the vaccine, while 25.1 per cent are fully vaccinated.
It comes as the central Victorian community is left reeling after two integral community events cancelled their 2021 plans.
The Energy Breakthrough Management Group decided on Monday to cancel the 2021 Maryborough Energy Breakthrough Festival, due to run from November 17-21.
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