Officials: Virus numbers stabilising in Victoria

Australia's virus hot spot state of Victoria extended its state of emergency for another six months on Wednesday as its weekly average of new COVID-19 infections dipped to 95.

The state's chief health officer, Brett Sutton said in Melbourne that "there is absolutely stabilisation in numbers."

The state health department reported 90 new infections and six deaths in the latest 24-hour period.

There were only 70 new infections on Tuesday.

But the latest seven-day average has dropped into double-digits for the first time in weeks.

The previous week's average was 175 infections a day.

The Victorian Parliament's upper chamber passed legislation by a 20-19 vote to extend the state of emergency, which enhances the government's powers to impose pandemic restrictions.

The government had wanted a 12-month extension.