Coronavirus in Victoria: 627 new cases, eight deaths

There have been 627 cases confirmed in the last 24 hours, the second-biggest day of growth on record.

There was also eight lives lost due to the virus.

The lives lost were: two men in their 50s, two men in 70s, three men in their 80s and one woman in her 70s.

It also sees Victoria notch an ominous milestone, with more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases now recorded.

There has been 2,564 cases confirmed this week alone.

The total number of active cases linked to aged care is 928, and there are more than 1,000 health workers that are also active cases.

Addressing the media on Friday, Premier Daniel Andrews said there were more than 130 COVID-19 confirmations not found at home when doorknocking occurred.

You can watch his press conference here.

Mr Andrews said Australian Defence Force personnel and public health officials did more than 500 visits to positive cases on Thursday.

"I have to inform you that there were more than 130 unsuccessful visits, so around one in four people cannot be found at home," he said.

"There'll be a multitude of reasons for that, but what I can confirm for you is that more than 100 cases have been referred to Victoria Police."

The premier said there was no excuse for people who have been tested not to be isolating.

"It is simply unacceptable for you to have this virus and not be at home, if you're out doing other things."

There may be a handful who are out, getting some fresh air - that does not explain these numbers, these numbers go well and truly beyond anything like that. And all that will do is spread the virus."

The premier also said that the $300 isolation payment had been made to 4200 workers, at a cost of $1.26m.

He also hinted towards even stronger lockdowns being introduced.

However, he said they would not be announced today.

"It may well be the case ... that we need to take further steps, that the steps we've taken are not enough to pull this up."

As of today, people in Moorabool and Golden Plains (and four other shires surround Geelong) are not allowed to have any visitors in their home, nor are they able to visit other households in any shires.

However, they are allowed to: visit restaurants and cafes, gyms and attend community sport.

All shires to fall under new restrictions are:

Masks outside the home are also set to become mandatory throughout Victoria as of 11.59pm on Sunday.

Ballarat has managed to avoid any coronavirus growth this week, despite the virus creeping into regional communities. Daily location figures are normally not updated until mid-afternoon.

According to Thursday's data, Greater Geelong jumped from 44 cases to 59, while Greater Bendigo increased from 11 to 18.

Ballarat remained on 10 active cases, with four people in hospital in a stable condition.

Everyone who feels even the slightest cold or flu-like symptom must assume they have the virus until a test result proves otherwise. Anybody with symptoms or awaiting a result should self-isolate at home.

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