Victoria records 1,466 new local COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths

Victoria has recorded 1,466 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths in the 24 hours to midnight on Monday.

The total number of active cases sits at 19,627.

Some 68,509 tests were processed in the latest reporting period.

Older Victorians who have held back on getting the AstraZeneca jab can now access Pfizer and Moderna as the state races to re-open.

Health Minister Martin Foley said there was now enough vaccine supply in Victoria to open all brands to every age group eligible for inoculation.

“This change, which is now in effect, has been made possible by the relative certainty we now have for both Moderna and Pfizer, and the extraordinary number of young people who have come forward over the past three and a half weeks,” he told reporters on Monday.

Previously people over 60 were only able to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at state hubs.

As of Sunday, 85.8 per cent of Victorians over 16 had received their first vaccine, including 92.9 per cent of people over 50.

“Victoria is well on the way to becoming one of the world’s most vaccinated jurisdictions,” Mr Foley said.

It comes after the state government announced up to 10,000 racing fans will be allowed to attend the Melbourne Cup on 2 November.

Source: sbs.com.au