Victoria has recorded 1935 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths ahead of an expected announcement on further restrictions easing when the state hits its 80 per cent full vaccination target.
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On the first weekend since Melbourne's 77-day lockdown ended, the state is managing almost 24,993 active cases.
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There are 787 people in hospital, an increase of 18 on Saturday, slightly lifting the seven-day average to 793. Of those hospitalisations, 146 are in intensive care with 93 on a ventilator.
The latest deaths take the toll from the current outbreak to 223.
There were 69,624 tests processed and 39,250 vaccine doses administered at state-run hubs on Saturday.
About 73 per cent of Victorians over 16 are now fully vaccinated as the state rapidly approaches its target of 80 per cent with an updated roadmap out of COVID restrictions set to be unveiled on Sunday.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday said the state is on track to reach 80 per cent full vaccination of its over 16 population by next weekend, paving the way for further restrictions to ease.
He flagged he would hold a press conference "quite soon to clarify what we hope can happen at the end of next week", and could go further than previously announced.
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Under the government's original roadmap, outdoor masks will be scrapped, statewide travel will return, indoor entertainment venues, gyms and retail can reopen, and capacity limits increase when the state reaches 80 per cent.
As of Friday night, there were 440,000 second doses needed to reach the 80 per cent double-dose target, which was initially forecast for November 5, but analysts predict the target could be hit on October 29 or 30.
The sped-up vaccination rate has prompted Victorian authorities to green light a 5500-strong, fully vaccinated crowd for Derby Day before 10,000 arrive at Flemington for the Melbourne Cup three days later.
Caps on major sports events could be dumped altogether once 90 per cent of Victorians over 12 are fully vaccinated, the Herald Sun reports, allowing up to 75,000 fans to potentially pack into the MCG for Boxing Day Test.
- with AAP
