Victoria has had mixed coronavirus news, with the death toll passing 700 as new cases had a welcome fall.
Thursday's seven fatalities took the state toll to 701 and the national figure to 788.
The 14-day average of new cases will be a critical number in the state government's roadmap out of the second wave.
Melbourne's average of 74.5 on Wednesday and the five for regional Victoria continue to fall.
Premier Daniel Andrews insists his roadmap is the only path out as he continues to cop flak over the plan.
There is no set date yet for when regional restrictions will ease, while Melbourne will remain under a curfew until at least 26 October.
As the state also ramps up its much-maligned contact tracing system, testing of up to 300 sewage samples a week is taking place at 25 sites to help detect the spread of the virus.
The government said sewage samples at the coastal town of Apollo Bay had revealed signs the virus was circulating, prompting health authorities to increase testing in the area.
But there have been no positive cases in the area since the local sample was taken on 1 September.
Wednesday's statewide test numbers almost doubled to 16,686, up from Tuesday's 8704.
Curfew not a police measure
Meanwhile, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton says Melbourne's controversial lockdown curfew was brought in with no input from the force.
The curfew has become another issue for the Andrews government, which is under fire for the state's second coronavirus wave.
Mr Patton said police were aware of the measure was when the state government sent them a copy of the guidelines only a couple of hours before they were approved.
"The reality is, I was never consulted," Mr Patton told 3AW radio.
"As best as I can work out, our policy area was provided a copy of the proposed guidelines ... a couple of hours before they were signed off.
Shane Patton, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner. Source: AAP
"We had never requested a curfew."
Mr Andrews remains unrepentant about the curfew, saying it was ultimately his decision and it is working.
"I've tried to be frank and acknowledge the fact that it perhaps has a meaning that goes beyond the practical effect that it has," Mr Andrews said.
"This is the right decision, it is limiting movement, it is making the very challenging work of Victoria Police just that little bit easier.
"And on that basis, limit movement, limit the virus."
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said this week it was not his call to introduce the curfew.
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. News and information is available in 63 languages at
