Coronavirus Victoria: Cases rise for third day in a row

Victoria’s daily coronavirus case numbers have risen for the third consecutive day.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced 15 new cases and two further deaths on Thursday, taking the state’s death toll to the grim milestone of 800.

It follows 13 new cases on Wednesday, 10 on Tuesday and five on Monday.

Despite the slight rise, the 14-day rolling average for metropolitan Melbourne has lowered to 15.6.

Victoria has had nine consecutive days of new cases below 20.

For metropolitan Melbourne to move to Step Three of the roadmap out of restrictions, which will see a return for hospitality venues and free movement from the home, the city needs to record a 14-day rolling average of less than five and less than five mystery cases during that period.

On Wednesday, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said that step could come at a higher 14-day rolling average if health authorities have identified the source of the majority of cases.

There are currently 19 mystery cases in the previous two weeks.

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