Victoria's current lockdown is scheduled to end at 11.59pm on Thursday June 3, but a growing list of community-acquired COVID-19 cases has thrown that date into doubt.
The state recorded an additional six locally acquired cases today, bringing the total number of active cases to 54.
There are now more than 270 "COVID-19 exposure sites" where Victorians could have come into contact with the virus.
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With this in mind, authorities are not ruling out an extension of the lockdown past the original seven days.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said extending Victoria's current snap lockdown was a "day-by-day process".
"It has been a rapidly moving virus and the transmission that has occurred in those high-risk settings has been very substantial," Professor Sutton said.
"So we have to take it as a day-by-day prospect.
"With more numbers today coming through and those really concerning settings, especially in aged care, we are neck and neck with this virus and it is an absolute beast."
READ MORE: Markets, schools added to Victoria's huge COVID-19 exposure list
Chair of epidemiology at Deakin University Catherine Bennett told Today the case in the high-risk setting remained of concern.
"It is our worst fear - having someone not knowing they are infectious at work in aged care is exactly what you don't want to happen," she said.
Health authorities finding the missing link was among the factors necessary to prevent the lockdown from being extended, Professor Bennett said.
"We are certainly looking for the links for that case," she said.
"I think we are also looking to see increasingly if we are seeing cases - that they are going to be people who were quarantined when they had a negative test and are turning positive in quarantine.
"That's the best news because it means even if we, unfortunately, have more cases, we are in a situation where we are not adding to that public exposure list."
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Under current lockdown conditions, Victorians cannot leave their home except for five reasons, including going to work, getting vaccinated or exercising.
All residents must stay within five kilometres of their home for shopping and exercise.
Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors when leaving the house.
Victorians may also leave home to visit their intimate partner, their single social bubble buddy, or in an emergency – including those at risk of family violence.
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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