Victorians are on edge this morning with a decision over how much longer the state's lockdown will be extended just hours away.
Health authorities confirmed 16 local coronavirus cases yesterday, four of which will be included in today's figures.
While 12 of those were confirmed to be in isolation during their infectious period, experts are concerned current lockdown measures aren't effective enough as the number of exposure sites surges past 300 venues.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Victoria's extended lockdown
There are some reports the current lockdown will be extended another five days, although there is no guarantee it won't be longer if infection in the community continues to grow.
Clinical Epidemiologist, Professor Nancy Baxter, says the number of local cases across Victoria in coming days will determine just how much longer the lockdown is extended for.
"I think they are going to need at least five days to seven days, that's probably what they are going to announce and then whether further lockdowns are needed is going to depend on the case numbers in the next week," Professor Baxter told Today.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the choice was either a "short lockdown, or one that's much, much longer", adding he did not want cases to explode like they had in Sydney.
"If we were to let it run, and say it's too hard, look at Sydney's hospitalisation rates and the other healthy young people who are in ICU," Mr Andrews said yesterday.
"Look at the rest of the world, we will finish up with our hospitals very full."
While all of yesterday's local cases were in isolation during their infectious period and linked to the current outbreak, authorities have spent the night scouring contact tracing data to determine if any mystery cases have emerged in the community and where.
READ MORE: Victoria exposure sites surge past 300 venues
Lines are already beginning to grow at Melbourne testing clinics with authorities hoping for record numbers to come forward.
While the current cluster is concentrated in Greater Melbourne, with many linked to the MCG and AAMI Park, one of yesterday's local cases was a Mildura man who travelled into the city to watch the Geelong, Carlton game.
A household contact of his has also been confirmed as a positive case, meaning there are at least two linked to regional Victoria.
Mr Andrews said the infections in Mildura mean regional areas would not come out of lockdown earlier than Melbourne.
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