Victoria's outbreak continues to worsen with 2,179 new Covid cases and six deaths, as Dan Andrews promises to stick to the roadmap out of lockdown.
The health department on Friday confirmed the figures, which are a slight drop on the record 2297 infections recorded on Thursday.
There are now 21,324 cases in the state, while the deaths take the toll from the current outbreak to 131.
Some 73,942 tests were processed in the 24 hours to Friday morning and 38,752 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered at state-run hubs.
Premier Daniel Andrews says the state government will continue to pursue its roadmap to reopening despite the surge in cases.
A handful of people are seen in the Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne's CBD
'We have, fundamentally, a very important agreement with the Victorian community: you get vaccinated and we will open up,' he said.
Once 70 per cent of the state is fully vaccinated, which is expected to be achieved in about a week, Melbourne's hard lockdown will end.
Eighty-seven per cent of Victorians aged over 16 have received their first jab and 62.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Mr Andrews said there would be discussions in coming days about when Melbourne's lockdown would end. It was originally set for October 26.
A woman in a green dress is seen in Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne CBD on Thursday
Deputy Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie reiterated the roadmap was tied to vaccination targets and pressure on the health system, not case numbers.
'There is no way I could possibly look at one day's numbers and think of what it means for the roadmap. The roadmap
