Three community cases of COVID-19 discovered in Melbourne

Health officials have discovered three new cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne.

The new cases - the details of which are expected to be released later tonight - end Victoria's 61-day streak of no new cases within the community.

9News understands the new cases have been identified in the suburbs of Mentone, Hallam and Mitcham. Authorities believe there may be a link with the ongoing outbreak in New South Wales.

READ MORE: Victoria's borders remain shut to Sydneysiders for New Year's Eve

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Authorities are reaching out to close contacts but have confirmed the cases were found within the greater metropolitan Melbourne area.

Victoria has joined the Northern Territory in listing additional NSW regions as hotspots after 18 new locally acquired cases of coronavirus were detected in Sydney.

The Victorian Government has given anyone who has been in or visited the Blue Mountains or Wollongong regions from December 27 until 11.59pm on December 31 to enter Victoria.

Anyone intending to return to Victoria from these areas between midnight tonight and 11.59pm tomorrow must apply for a new travel permit through Service Victoria, must get tested within 24 hours of returning to Victoria, and must self-quarantine at home for 14 days from when they last left the region.

READ MORE: New cluster in Sydney's inner west among 18 new COVID-19 cases

Nobody who has visited these areas will be able to enter Victoria after December 31 until further notice.

Anyone currently in Victoria who has been in Wollongong or the Blue Mountains since December 27 is urged to get tested and stay at home until a negative test result is received.

More to come.

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

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