Victoria has recorded 394 new coronavirus cases and 17 deaths - the deadliest day of the pandemic in Australia so far.
The deaths included two males in their 50s, four males in their 70s, four females and two males in their 80s, and two females and three males in their 90s.
Ten of the deaths are linked to aged care facilities.
Of the state's total number, 634 Victorians are in hospital, 43 of them in intensive care, while there are 994 active cases among healthcare workers.
More than 2,700 confirmed COVID-19 cases around the state are of unknown origin and remain our primary concern, said Premier Daniel Andrews.
"Even large numbers in known contained outbreaks are, to a certain extent, less significant than the smaller number of cases where we simply can't find the circumstance or the point of origin," Mr Andrews said.
The number of new cases on Sunday was lower than the 466 recorded on Saturday, 450 on Friday, 471 on Thursday and record 725 cases on Wednesday.
Metropolitan Melbourne has been under tough Stage Four restrictions for a week but residents won't see the results of their efforts for another one to two weeks.
Victoria Police has issued
"I think it is a growing number of Victorians following the rules and doing the right thing," Mr Andrews said.
"I don't want their quite amazing performance, their effort, to be in any way overshadowed or undermined by the smaller number of people who are doing the wrong thing."
Police are seen in front of Flinders Street Station during a 8PM-5AM curfew in Melbourne, Saturday, August 8, 2020. Source: AAP
Mental health crisis
The Victorian government on Sunday announced a $59.7 million boost to mental health services under strain during the pandemic.
There's been a 9.5 per cent increase year-on-year of self-harm presentations in Victorian emergency departments across all age groups, and a 33 per cent increase in presentations of those under 18 with self-harm in emergency departments.
Overall, there has been a 23.3 per cent increase in people presenting with mental health issues.
"We knew running into this global pandemic that our mental health system wasn't fit for purpose," Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said.
"And that's why we're holding Australia's first Royal Commission into our mental health system to make sure that people get the support where they need it in a timely way."
"The pandemic is stressful. The pandemic is seeing anxiety and depression levels rise quite substantially, but there is help out there. There is support out there," Mr Foley said.
Free kinder across Victoria
Education Minister James Merlino on Sunday said kinder would be free in Victoria for the reminder of the school term thanks to an additional $1.6 million in state government funding.
Mr Merlino said permitted workers under Stage Four COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne would also be able to send their children to kinder for free.
For children whose parents are home-based, kinders will be supported to access and use online programs with play-based learning for parents and children to do together.
Childcare can continue as normal under Stage Three restrictions in regional Victoria but the state government says it will increase funding so kinder is free for all children.
The free kinder would continue at least until the end of term three in September.
"Our early childhood staff do a remarkable job day in and day out ensuring Victorian children continue to get the care and education they need during this challenging period," Mr Merlino said in a statement.
"We're providing a funding boost to give sessional kinders financial certainty and to help kinder kids receive their vital early learning while they are at home."
Too early for results of Stage Four restrictions
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said on Sunday he was confident that Stage Four restrictions in place across Melbourne would soon show positive results if the basic reproductive number of the virus could be brought down.
"The ideal situation would be if we could see the reproductive number at 0.5. We don't have enough data at the moment from the numbers to see whether that's approaching 0.5. But hopefully in the coming days to week we will see that."
Dr Coatsworth said there were a number of possible vaccines under human trials in Australia and the pace of their development was "very exciting".
The deputy chief medical officer also encouraged Australians to stay in touch with family and friends in Victoria at this time.
"What Victorians are doing at the moment is for all of us. If you know anyone in Victoria, as I do, just pick up the phone. Check in on how they're going. Give them your support," he said.
"Sometimes that phone call is what brightens an otherwise dull day."
- with AAP
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25).
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am.
During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative.
The full list of restrictions can be found here. All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
