A further 12 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Victoria overnight, as residents wait anxiously to find out whether the state's lockdown will be extended.
The number is a drop on yesterday and all 12 are linked to current outbreaks with 10 of those in quarantine throughout their entire infectious period.
More than 39,000 tests were conducted and 19,000 vaccines administered.
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https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1418700233706377217?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwYesterday, the state recorded 14 new local cases, with three active in the community for about a day while infectious.
The lockdown is currently set to end on Tuesday.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said he hoped that it was the case for the sake of all Victorians.
"All of us are angry, we hate these lockdowns," he said. "We've said we wouldn't have it in place a moment longer than necessary."
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The current Victorian cluster is now at 145 cases but with 19,000 primary close contacts isolating in the state, that number could rise.
The highly contagious Delta variant is an unpredictable beast, with one recent case catching the virus while entering AAMI Park for the Wallabies game through Gate 7, within the same five minute window as a previously confirmed case.
The Ms Frankie's cluster has grown to a total of 31 staff, patrons and contacts infected through the restaurant.
Earlier this week, the Victorian Government declared it needed another seven days to get its outbreaks under control before the state could exit lockdown.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the state could not risk case numbers spiralling out of control like they had in Sydney.
"We need to avoid what is going on in Sydney at the moment," Mr Andrews said.
Victoria's extended lockdown is due to end at 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 27.
Victorian Premier calls for 'ring of steel' around Sydney
Mr Andrews called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday to put a "ring of steel" around Sydney, a move the PM rejected.
Mr Andrews raised the issue at National Cabinet.
"Sydney is on fire with this virus and we need a ring of steel around Sydney," Mr Andrews said.
"There is a national responsibility to do everything possible to contain it where it is now. Not to see it spread."
Mr Morrison rebuffed Mr Andrews' views, insisting it was up to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to manage lockdown measures.
"The only view that matters on this is the view of the New South Wales premier because they are responsible for how they manage the lockdown in New South Wales," he said.
"There is nothing light about the lockdown in Sydney, I can assure you. My family are in it.
"I'm quite certain that people living in Greater Sydney do not feel they are under loose restrictions."
Police, authorised officers and ADF personnel could help man the proposed border around the city to protect the virus from seeping into regional areas and other states, Mr Andrews suggested.
"We did it last year to protect country Victoria and our country, and the same must occur in relation to Sydney.
"There is a national responsibility to put a ring of steel around Sydney."
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