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AAP
AAP
Health
Gina Rushton

Victoria records 16 new local virus cases

Sixteen new locally acquired virus cases have been recorded in Victoria as the state prepares for a possible extension of a five-day COVID-19 lockdown.

In the 24 hours to midnight on Saturday the state also recorded two new infections acquired overseas, currently in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of active cases to 70.

There were 53,283 test results returned during the 24-hour period and 16,751 vaccines administered in Victoria.

The locally acquired cases are all linked to the current outbreaks and Victoria's health department said it is engaging with six schools after they were linked to positive cases.

A stay-at-home order is due to expire at midnight on Tuesday, but could be extended based on data including case numbers and exposure sites, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.

"Every Victorian needs to ready themself for what might emerge over the next 24/48 hours," he said on Saturday.

"All I can say is the response couldn't have been better. The judgements that have been made around a hard and fast lockdown have been the right ones. And that's got us on a good track.

"We've got settings in place until Tuesday midnight and we will make another assessment every day over the next three days."

On Saturday authorities estimated there were 10,000 "primary close contacts" in Victoria and by Sunday morning had identified 217 potential COVID-19 exposure sites across the state.

Some of the exposure sites and close contacts have spread to regional Victoria.

Sites of concern include pubs, clubs, restaurants, sporting venues, shopping centres, schools and gyms in metropolitan Melbourne, suburbs and multiple locations at Phillip Island, a two-hour drive south of Melbourne.

The growing list of sites and restrictions can be found at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the state looks forward to the Commonwealth's vaccination program push.

"I don't think it's a state secret that we are a long way behind where we should be in the vaccination program," he told reporters on Saturday.

"That is one of the factors that has helped shape the public health team's decision to go hard and go early (with a lockdown), because you cannot protect Victorians with what is, I think, 12 per cent of Victorians vaccinated."

Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania have imposed border restrictions with Victoria.

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