Daniel Andrews says a substantial reduction in Victoria's COVID-19 caseload is cause for confidence despite a further 20 virus-related deaths.
The state's seven-day case average stands at 12,659 infections, a considerable drop from the previous week's figure of 19,000.
Mr Andrews says the trend, along with a reduction of more than 100,000 active cases across Victoria over the same period, paints "a more optimistic picture than even our modelling predicted".
Health authorities announced 10,589 new cases on Sunday morning, while Mr Andrews says the state is currently managing about 78,000 active infections in total.
There are 889 virus patients in hospital care, 99 fewer than there were two days prior. Of these, 111 are in ICUs and 35 require ventilation.
There were 6110 infections self-detected in the 24 hours to Saturday evening via rapid antigen tests. A further 4479 positive results came via PCR lab testing.
In urging Victorians to get their third vaccine jab, Mr Andrews said he expected authorities would redefine what it meant to be "fully vaccinated" and discard the term "booster" as soon as this week.
"I think it's only a matter of time before the relevant federal agencies confirm that this is three doses," he told reporters.
"It is not two plus a bonus."
Despite the detection on Friday of a handful of Omricon sub-variant cases in Victoria, Mr Andrews said he had no advice that warranted "particular concern" in relation to BA.2.
However, he and his government would continue to seek expert advice on the ongoing evolution of the virus.
COVID Commander Jeroen Weimar has urged double-vaccinated Victorians to pivot their thinking following the discovery of the "Son of Omicron" infections.
"We're adjusting our thinking that to be complete from a vaccine point of view ... we now need to have three doses," he said on Saturday.
"Unfortunately the COVID pandemic continues to evolve and we need to evolve with it."
Mr Weimar said anyone yet to receive a third immunisation dose was "not as protected" and those due for a booster needed to "get it done now".
The state government has meanwhile delivered 4.5 million rapid antigen tests to schools with another two million on the way.
Private school students returned to class on Friday and public students begin term on Monday. All staff and students are being encouraged to take a test twice-weekly.
A vaccination blitz targeting children aged five to 11 has begun at 15 Victorian primary schools, with seven state-run vaccine hubs offering walk-up jabs for kids.
Some 38.1 per cent of Victorians aged over 18 have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster while 93 per cent of eligible people aged 12 or over are now double dosed.
While details of the state's latest virus-related fatalities are still to be revealed, Mr Andrews said he believed the 20 deaths, although reported in the previous 24 hours, had occurred over two days.
