The state’s health department confirmed the new locally acquired infections and said 40 of the 50 new cases could be linked to existing outbreaks.
But alarmingly, only 11 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period, meaning 39 were out in the community.
Hopes of the lockdown being eased on September 2 are fading fast after the state recorded five straight days of 50 local cases and above.
But when asked if there was any chance of getting a ring around the outbreak by September 2, Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said he remained hopeful.
“If we continue to work together, we have pulled six, seven outbreaks now in the last eight months, so collectively as a Victorian community we can absolutely do that,” he said.
Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar gave a glimmer of hope that the lockdown could end on time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian CurrieSource:News Corp Australia
“We can cap the rising cases and get it down, because if we don’t, we are looking at the other side of the Murray River and that’s what is awaiting us.
“Those primary close contact numbers will continue to rise but the onus is now on the wider community because this Delta moves frighteningly quickly.
“We will go as hard as we possibly can but we need everybody to realise that if you continue to socialise, if you continue to see each other at home, if you continue to pop in and see your mum (there is a risk).”
There are now more than 660 exposure sites in multiple suburbs across metropolitan Melbourne and more than 14,000 people remain in isolation across the state.
There are now 522 active cases across the state, up from 494 on Monday.
Mr Weimar said 112 of the 494 active cases were aged 9 and under, 100 were aged between 10 and 19 years old, and 79 were aged in their 20s.
One new case were recorded in hotel quarantine on Tuesday.