Victoria has recorded 2179 new COVID-cases in the 24 hours to midnight.
Six deaths were also recorded.
While the case numbers are a drop on yesterday's national record of 2297, they still remain high but that will not put a stop to the state starting its re-opening process once the 70 per cent double dose vaccination rate for those aged over 16s is reached.
That milestone is expected within the week.
Eighty-seven per cent of Victorians aged over 16 have received their first jab and 62.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Premier Daniel Andrews says the state government will continue to pursue its roadmap to reopening despite the late week surge.
"We have, fundamentally, a very important agreement with the Victorian community: you get vaccinated and we will open up," he said.
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Mr Andrews said there would be discussions in coming days about when Melbourne's lockdown would end. It was originally set for October 26.
- with Australian Associated Press
Kim Chappell
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
