15 deaths amid a sharp drop in new cases in Victoria

15 deaths amid a sharp drop in new cases in Victoria

Victoria has recorded 116 new COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths in the past 24 hours. This is the lowest daily number of cases Victoria has recorded in seven weeks, since the state recorded 74 cases reported on July 5.

This is also a drop in numbers from yesterday's virus figures, with 208 new cases and 17 deaths reported on Sunday.

The latest fatalities bring the state's COVID-19 death toll to 430. It follows 208 new cases on Sunday and 182 on Saturday.

Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to provide more detail at a media conference later today.

"I think the strategy is working," Premier Daniel Andrews said on the weekend.

"We're going to defeat this second wave and then we'll be able to begin the process of opening up."

Victorians have been urged to put a ban on hugging and handshakes as it could be helping to spread the virus.

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Alison McMillan, said these types of greetings are something "we should avoid at this point in time".

“When it comes to hugs, I encourage you to if you are within your family unit with people you live with, your children or your loved ones, of course, they live with you, you can hug,” Professor McMillan said.

“But when it comes to the broader community and hugging others outside of your family unit then no.

Her comments came as Victorian Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, revealed many people were still not following basic rules to prevent against the spread of COVID-19.

Victoria Police also said they are investigation reports of a breach of the public health order after a social media video showed a crowded party on at student accommodation at La Trobe University's Bundoora campus during stage four lockdown.