Victoria has recorded 471 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours and eight deaths.
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Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said four of the deaths were linked to aged-care.
Two death were men in their 60s, three men and two women in their 80s have died, and one woman in her 90s.
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.
Watch Mr Andrews address the state below. Please allow a moment for the video to load.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a new mental health focus for Victorians amid the lockdown.
He said mental health and suicide prevention was one of the government's higher priorities.
Mr Morrison announced $5 million to support headspace, $2 million to support the Kids Helpline, $2.5 million for LifeLine and $2 million for Beyond Blue.
He said headspace would focus on Year 11 and 12 students as well as young people without work.
"If you need help, reach out," Mr Morrison said.
"Help is there."
IN OTHER NEWS:
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:
- to shop for food and essential goods or services
- to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- to exercise or for outdoor recreation with your household, or one other person
- for work or study, if you can't do it from home
In Bendigo, 11 people linked to a primary school have tested positive to coronavirus.
Catholic Education Office Sandhurst on Thursday confirmed to The Bendigo Advertiser the St Joseph's Primary School cluster had grown to eight students and three teachers.
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.
One case was removed from the Northern Grampians. 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.
There is still one active case in Ararat.
No active cases have been reported for the Yarriambiack or Hindmarsh shires.
Updated DHHS figures are expected this afternoon.
Mr Andrews announced all category three surgeries and non-urgent category two surgeries would be cancelled in regional areas.
IVF will be exempt.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
