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Concern as new coronavirus cluster emerges in Aussie city

The cluster of new coronavirus cases linked to a Melbourne hotel is continuing to rise, with another five people testing positive overnight.

The group connected to the outbreak at Stamford Plaza Hotel, which quarantines returned travellers, are among 13 new cases confirmed by health officials on Friday.

It is the third consecutive day Victoria has seen a double-digit rise in its infectious tally, throwing into doubt the further easing of restrictions.

A crowd of people are seen on a tram in Melbourne's CBD. Source: Getty
Another 13 people tested positive for coronavirus overnight. Source: Getty

The state has now recorded 1792 confirmed cases, with 91 of them still active, Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said.

Contracted security guards at the hotel were infected after a worker there tested positive last Wednesday.

The health department confirmed all five guards worked shifts over a similar period.

One of the confirmed cases at the hotel is a member of a family outbreak in Melbourne's southeastern suburbs

The seven cases not linked to Stamford Plaza Hotel were identified through routine testing.

Only one returned traveller tested positive for coronavirus on Friday while one other case remains under investigation.

"We're keeping a really close eye on the numbers," Ms Allan said.

"And if there's any change to those restrictions, we'll give that information to the Victorian community as quickly as we possibly can."

Victoria’s restrictions to be eased on Monday

Gyms, cinemas, indoor sports centres and concert venues are scheduled to reopen on Monday while cafes, restaurants and pubs will increase capacity from 20 people to 50.

Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Annaliese van Diemen on Thursday said authorities still plan to relax restrictions on Monday.

But she warned plenty can happen in the meantime.

People exercise at Albert Park Lake in Melbourne. Source: AAP
Authorities still plan to relax restrictions in Victoria on Monday. Source: AAP

"Monday is not that far away. The plan is to continue to ease those restrictions on Monday, but a lot can happen in five days," Dr van Diemen said on Thursday.

"We don't want to take any chances and if it does continue to climb, we will be taking all of that into account when we decide whether or not to ease further on Monday."

Eighteen new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the state on Thursday, including eight cases of community transmission.

This growth came after Victoria recorded 21 cases on Wednesday, the state's biggest increase in more than a month.

with AAP

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