Victoria has recorded 996 new COVID-19 cases and nine people have died with the virus, as hospitalisation numbers continue to decline.
The state is now managing 14,260 active coronavirus infections.
Wednesday’s case numbers are almost 200 more than Tuesday’s tally, and represent the fourth straight day below 1000.
There are 394 virus patients in hospital, 37 fewer than the previous day, with 58 actively infected with COVID-19, 65 have been cleared, and 35 on ventilators.
Victoria’s seven-day hospitalisation average has fallen by 16 to 402.
Health officials say 72,010 test results were processed on Tuesday and 6692 people were vaccinated at state-run hubs.
Victoria is 87 per cent double-vaccinated in those aged over 12.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the state would get to 90 per cent full vaccination coverage “sooner than we thought”.
“The chief health officer may not have signed the last set of orders yet, but we’re all working very closely together – the minister, myself, the public health team – about what 90 per cent looks like,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“We want as few rules as possible.”
Once the 90 per cent mark is reached, initially predicted on November 24, vaccinated Victorians are promised a return to normality, with patron caps removed and masks only required on public transport and in high-risk settings.
Health Minister Martin Foley has indicated there may also be changes to isolation requirements.
“When we hit 90 per cent we will open up to a whole new level,” he told reporters.
“That will go to all sorts of things, venues, people coming into your home and all sorts of issues around isolation.”
Mr Andrews previously said a date for when the new restrictions took effect would be announced this week.
