Victoria flags tougher new restrictions as it records 627 coronavirus cases and 8 deaths overnight

Victoria has recorded 627 new cases of coronavirus today, marking the second-highest daily increase since the pandemic began and bringing the state total to over 10,000.

There were also eight deaths in the past 24 hours bringing the state’s toll to 112. The deaths included two men in their 50s and half were linked to the aged care crisis in the state.

Victoria witnessed its deadliest day on Thursday  with Australia’s highest daily total in the pandemic so far, recording 723 new COVID-19 cases.

Premier Daniel Andrews says the current infection rate for Victoria was hovering around 1.0, meaning every person infected was infecting on average one other person.

This presented the troubling situation where daily numbers would not escalate, but would also not come down to enable the lifting of restrictions.

Health authorities are analysing Victoria's coronavirus data to assess what further measures are needed to bring the state's spiralling numbers back under control, Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Daniel ­Andrews held crisis talks on Thursday night over introducing tougher new restrictions on Melbourne. A stage four New Zealand-style lockdown, which involves the closure of all businesses except for essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations and healthcare, is being discussed as one option.

Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire are now more than halfway through their six-week coronavirus lockdown. But after yesterday's case numbers, experts have warned Victorians to ready themselves for the likelihood of tougher new restrictions and  longer lockdown.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) also said Melbourne's restrictions would be needed for longer.

"It's really unlikely that we're going to be able to see any lifting of restrictions within the next three weeks," AMA president Tony Bartone said.