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Victoria's Covid outbreak grows as lockdown extension looms

Victoria has reported 13 new locally acquired Covid cases as the state is gripped by its latest coronavirus cluster.

The Department of Health and Human Services tweeted on Monday the latest cases were all connected to known outbreaks.

One of the new cases was previously announced on Sunday after it was detected in Mildura in the state's northwest.

The new numbers come after Victoria announced 16 new locally acquired cases on Sunday.

People wearing masks walk through Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne.
Victoria's coronavirus outbreak continues to grow. Source: Getty

Covid lockdown decision looms

With Victoria's current lockdown due to end at 11.59pm on Tuesday, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says it could be extended based on data including case numbers and exposure sites.

"Every Victorian needs to ready themself for what might emerge over the next 24/48 hours," he said.

"All I can say is the response couldn't have been better. The judgements that have been made around a hard and fast lockdown have been the right ones. And that's got us on a good track."

The Herald Sun reports it is now likely to end on Friday, however there are fears Melbourne's fifth lockdown could extend even further into next week.

Health authorities are expected to make a final decision in the next 24 hours.

Authorities estimated over the weekend that there were 10,000 "primary close contacts" in Victoria and by Sunday morning had identified 217 potential COVID-19 exposure sites across the state, some regional.

More exposure sites were announced late on Sunday, including a number of restaurants, cafes and fitness centres across sites across Melbourne's north and south-east, and a Shell petrol station in Doncaster East.

There were 54,839 test results returned during the 24 hours to Monday and 14,758 vaccines administered.

Check the Department of Health website for information on the latest exposure sites.

with AAP

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