The number of daily new coronavirus cases in Victoria has dropped below 300 for the first time in nine days.
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Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed 295 new cases today - the lowest daily total since July 20.
It follows Monday's record high of 532 and Tuesday's total of 384.
Sadly, however, there were nine more deaths: two people in their 90s, five in their 80s, one in their 70s and one in their 60s.
Seven of the nine new deaths were linked to the aged care sector.
The total amount of active cases in Victoria now sits at 4839. 4573 are within metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, while 195 are in regional Victoria.
804 cases are linked to the aged care sector and 502 are linked to the healthcare sector.
307 people are in hospital, with 41 in intensive care.
Mr Andrews said the surge in cases was largely driven by symptomatic people going to work, and urged those with even slight symptoms to get tested.
"If you are sick you must get tested and you must get tested quickly. That is the greatest thing you can do. This is largely a second wave filled by outbreaks in workplaces," he said.
"I am asking that of every single Victorian worker. I don't think that's too much to ask. If we want to get past this and move back to a 'COVID normal' you must do this."
Mr Andrews also announced an expansion of ADF personnel door-knocking for those who test positive. Everyone who tests positive will now be door-knocked.
Mr Andrews said 19 people who had tested positive were not home when ADF and DHHS personnel visited. This was out of about 500 door-knocks so far.
IN OTHER NEWS TODAY:
There are currently no active cases in Ararat.
There are seven active cases in Horsham and one active case each in West Wimmera and the Northern Grampians.
New figures for those regions are expected this afternoon.
Cross border community members must now prove they've been tested for coronavirus within the past seven days when trying to enter South Australia.
SAPOL confirmed this morning that people living outside 40km from the border would no longer be considered a cross border community member.
"Essential travellers of the class - Commercial Transport and Freight - general and Victorian Residence, Remote and Isolated workers; or Cross border community members must now produce evidence to an authorised officer of a COVID-19 test, or a COVID-19 test result of evidence that a COVID-19 test has been undertaken in the preceding 7 days," a SAPOL statement read.
Warracknabeal Secondary College remains closed until further notice, while the DHHS investigates a reported positive case.
It has not been specified whether the positive case was a student, teacher or other staff member, but principal Therese Allen said all precautionary measures were being taken to ensure the health and safety of the school community.
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