Covid Australia: Victoria’s Covid cases remain under 1,000 as NSW records 231 new infections 

Victoria has recorded 996 new COVID-19 cases and nine people have died with the virus, as hospitalisation numbers continue to decline.

The health department confirmed on Wednesday the state is now managing 14,260 active coronavirus infections.

It is the fourth straight day Victoria’s case numbers are below 1000.

The state’s seven-day hospitalisation average has fallen by 16 to 402. 

It comes as New South Wales recorded 231 Covid cases, there were no Covid-related deaths for the state recorded on Wednesday. 

Vaccination rates continue to climb with 94.2 per cent of the eligible population receiving their first jab and 91.3 per cent double jabbed.

Victoria is now 87 per cent double-vaccinated in those aged over 12.

Once the 90 per cent mark is reached, predicted about November 24, Victorians are promised a return to normality with patron caps removed and masks only required on public transport and in high-risk settings. 

But while caps on home visitors will be scrapped and many hospitality, retail and entertainment venues will return to maximum capacity, there are concerns some infuriating restrictions will remain.

Victorian business leaders have called for remaining restrictions to be scrapped including schools and workplaces being shut down over a small number of cases (pictured: Melbourne in October)

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra has warned keeping on any significant Covid restrictions after the state reached the 90 per cent jab rate would be unsustainable.

Mr Guerra singled out schools and workplaces being continuously forced to close because of Covid cases as being impractical.  

He wants only close contacts being forced to isolate and only until they return a negative PCR test.  

A return of international tourists, workers and students would also be key to the state getting back on its feet, he said.