Sadly, a further eight people have died due to COVID-19: two men in their 60s, three men and two women in their 80s, and one woman in her 90s. Four of those deaths are linked to aged care.

There are now 7449 active cases statewide. 1533 of those cases are linked to aged care settings.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced there are a further 109 mystery cases - though he noted these weren't new cases, but discovered through detective work from the past week's announcements.

The new cases follow Victoria's darkest day on Wednesday, when Premier Daniel Andrews announced 725 new infections and a staggering 15 deaths.

There have now been 170 lives lost.

Regional Victorians woke to new restrictions on Thursday morning, which will be enforced for at least six weeks.

There are now only four reasons to leave the home:

IN OTHER NEWS:

There is still one active case in Ararat.

One case of coronavirus was removed from the Northern Grampians yesterday. There is now one reported active case in the region, and four total cases, including recovered. Yesterday there were five total cases - including recovered - reported for the Northern Grampians.

West Wimmera recorded a new active coronavirus case yesterday, taking the total in the local government area to two.

There was no change for Horsham, which still has six active cases.

No active cases have been reported for the Yarriambiack or Hindmarsh shires.

Updated DHHS figures are expected this afternoon.

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