Victoria recorded 1466 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, and another eight deaths. Of these new cases, 122 were in regional Victoria and 36 in locked-down Mildura.
The results came after more than 68,500 Victorians tested for the virus on Monday.
Critically ill patients at intensive care are now at 133 from 73, and 94 people are fighting for their lives on ventilators.
36,383 people were vaccinated at state hubs and the current state figures show that at least 85.8 per cent of eligible Victorians have received a single dose of the vaccination, while 59.3 per cent are double vaccinated.
As vaccination rates rise, lockdown could end close to a week ahead of schedule.
On Monday, Victoria opened up Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for all, and the jump in daily vaccinations of about 20,000 doses put Victoria on track to have 70 per cent of people fully vaccinated by 23 October. This means, according to experts, that the opening date may be brought forward for Victoria.
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As Victoria grappled with case numbers, NSW has recorded 360 new COVID-19 cases – the lowest new cases since 12 August – on the second day of its opening up with relaxed restrictions. There were, however five deaths.
In NSW, 90.4 per cent of people aged over 16 have had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.