AUSTRALIA- Victoria has recorded 1890 new COVID-19 cases and five further deaths after Saturday set yet another national daily record.

A further 39,861 vaccines have been administered and 74,105 tests were conducted.
There are warnings daily infection rates could hit keep rising, after 1965 were recorded yesterday.
Ambulances lined up outside Sunshine Hospital in Melbourne.
There are fears Victoria’s daily case numbers could continue to rise. (Jason South)
But Victoria still plans to push ahead and re-open at 70 per cent double vaccination rates, in accordance with the national plan.
Already changes have been made to the state’s lockdown rules, with Health Department deputy secretary Kate Matson confirming that secondary close contacts will not need to isolate.
While it has been the policy in Melbourne for some time, it will now be extended to all of Victoria.
“It will also make it easier for household members of primary close contacts to get groceries and work while the primary close contact is isolated away from the rest of the household,” Ms Matson said yesterday.

“Again,there is a very important difference between someone who is known to have come into contact with a confirmed case, and then someone who has come into contact with that primary close contact. And the risk is different.

“So this just recognises the changing risk and the changing environment that we are in we are no longer chasing COVID zero in Victoria, and we have 17,000 active cases in Victoria at this point in time.”
But Ms Matson stressed that secondary close contacts who have symptoms should still get tested and isolate.
Victoria is continuing its vaccination push. (Alex Ellinghausen)
Victoria is set to hit the 70 per cent milestone three days ahead of initial predictions, on October 23.
Major restrictions will remain in place, but Victorians will also be able to enjoy more freedoms.
The next bar of 80 per cent vaccination is expected to be cleared on November 3.
However, if that too comes several days early, thousands of Victorians could be trackside at the Melbourne Cup on November 2.
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