Victoria has recorded 1438 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases
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It is the state's highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic, surpassing the previous record of 950 on Wednesday and 867 cases on Tuesday.
More information will be provided on the seven deaths later on Thursday.
This figure comes from 65497 test results according to the DHHS.
Health officials say 34323 vaccine doses were administered in the 24 hours to Wednesday evening.
Ballarat had a new case announced yesterday and several new exposure sites were added including Myer, an APCO and several other stores.
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The new case numbers is another daily record for the state, brings the total number of active cases in the state to 11,018 and the death toll of the current outbreak to 41.
With lockdown continuing until vaccination milestones are reached, the state and federal governments are extending a jointly funded business grants package for six more weeks.
Up to $2.27 billion for small to medium-sized businesses was announced on Thursday for those most affected by restrictions as Victoria reaches the 70 per cent, then 80 per cent fully vaccinated thresholds, forecast for about October 26 and November 5 respectively.
More than 160,000 businesses will be eligible for the support, ranging from retailers and gyms to hairdressers and hotels - mostly through automatic deposits into their bank accounts.
Also from Thursday, Victorian residents in extreme risk zones such as Greater Sydney can apply for a permit if they are fully vaccinated, test negative within 72 hours of departure and isolate at home for 14 days.
Those who have been to an exposure site, are close contacts of a COVID-19 case or with symptoms will be knocked back, while non-Victorians are not eligible.
Victorians who test positive for COVID-19 in areas with high case numbers will receive a text message, as contract tracers move away from phone calls to deal with rising infections.
COVID Response Deputy Secretary Kate Matson says contact tracers are changing the way they work to deal with the high volume of cases and close contacts.
"We need to focus on the actions of highest value to ensure that people who are positive know that quickly, and connect them to the support they need," she told reporters.
"In areas with higher case numbers, we have started providing a text message with the confirmation of your confirmed positive result, so we can provide triage."
The text message will ask a number of questions to help contact tracers prioritise higher-risk cases, including whether the person is looking after people at home, if they need support and if they are vaccinated.
A short phone interview may occur depending on the results from the text.
Contract tracers will interview household contacts but may not interview "every single primary close contact", Ms Matson says.
"Should case numbers increase further, although it is in our collective will and efforts to contain them, we will adapt the approach again and again and refine it based on risk," she said.
It comes as the Latrobe Valley region has been plunged into a seven-day lockdown to curb a growing COVID-19 outbreak believed to be linked to a household gathering.
Residents in the City of Latrobe, which encompasses the Gippsland towns of Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, entered lockdown at 11.59pm on Tuesday. They were notified via a press release about 6.30pm.
They are now living under the same restrictions as those in Melbourne, with the exception of curfew.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the situation in that area had "deteriorated quite rapidly" on Tuesday and apologised for giving residents short notice.
There are at least 18 active COVID-19 cases in the region.
Where can I get tested: Click here to see where you can get a COVID test.
Almost 79 per cent of Victorians have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while more than 48 per cent are fully vaccinated.
A modest easing of rules has come into effect on Wednesday including extending metropolitan Melbourne's travel limit to 15 kilometres and the resumption of contactless sports.
Meanwhile, the Victoria Racing Club has submitted plans with the state government to host a crowd of up to 11,500 for some or all of the four days of this year's Melbourne Cup carnival.
"We look forward to sharing the details of these plans as soon as we secure feedback from the relevant authorities in October," VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said.
When Victoria's COVID-19 roadmap was released on September 20, the state was forecast to hit its 80 per cent double dose target on November 5 - three days after the Melbourne Cup.
Outdoor non-seated entertainment will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent for fully vaccinated patrons when the goal is reached.
For exposure sites visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
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- with AAP
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