COVID cases in Victoria have jumped – but still remain below 1000 – while the state’s virus toll has climbed by nine.

Hospitalisations have also declined further in Victoria, as health authorities confirmed 996 new virus cases on Wednesday.

The state is managing 14,260 active coronavirus infections.

It is the fourth straight day Victoria’s case numbers have been below 1000.

There are 394 virus patients in hospital, 37 fewer than Tuesday’s tally, with 58 actively infected with COVID-19, 65 have been cleared, and 35 on ventilators.

The state’s seven-day hospitalisation average has fallen by 16 to 402.

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Tweet from @VicGovDH

Health officials say virus testers processed 72,010 results on Tuesday and 6692 people were vaccinated at state-run hubs.

Victoria is now 87 per cent double-vaccinated in those aged over 12.

Once the 90 per cent mark is reached, predicted about November 24, Victorians are promised a return to normality with patron caps removed and masks only required on public transport and in high-risk settings.

Premier Daniel Andrews has promised an announcement on that within days.

-with AAP