Australia's Victoria state has notched up a new daily record of 847 locally acquired cases of Covid-19 and one further death, government figures show, as health officials warn the public to stay home ahead of a major sporting event.

Reuters reports that officials expect case numbers to keep rising until mid-November as the state races to raise vaccination rates above the 70 per cent double dose threshold, up from around 46pc currently.

With the Australian rules football grand final, a major national sporting event, due to take place today (Saturday) evening, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has warned fans to stay home to avoid putting “you, your friends and your households at risk.”

The match, between two Melbourne teams, would usually be played in the city but has been moved to coronavirus-free Western Australia. However, authorities are still worried fans in Melbourne could gather together in households to watch the broadcast game, breaching lockdown rules.