SYDNEY, (Reuters) – On Wednesday, new daily COVID-19 infections occurred in Australia’s Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland states. These were the epicenters of Australia’s most severe virus epidemic. Authorities are looking to ease restrictions as a result of rising vaccination rates.

There were 1,420 newly acquired local cases in Victoria. This is down from Tuesday’s record 1,763. The state recorded eleven new deaths, its highest rate of death per day during the current outbreak.

Melbourne is currently under lockdown as Australia struggles with the third wave of infection caused by the Delta virus. This variant has put many millions in Sydney and Canberra. Other states are mostly free of cases or have low numbers.

Victorian officials expect to loosen some of their strict restrictions after 70% of adult vaccine-vaccinated adults are vaccinated. That is due in late October. Additional restrictions will be removed for 80%.

Sydney, a neighbouring New South Wales city is scheduled to be free from lockdown Oct. 11 after an emergency vaccination program. A total of 68% have been fully vaccinated, and that number will rise to 70% by Thursday. On Wednesday, daily infections dropped below 600 for only the second time in seven weeks.

Dominic Perrottet was elected as the Premier of Dominic’s state. He said that he would raise “a lot of issues” at Wednesday’s meeting with state officials about state plans to reopen.

Perrottet said that no matter what we do we will make sure people are safe. But ultimately, Perrottet stressed that it was important to bring people back to Sydney because she wants to see it flourish.

Australia has a lower number of infections than other countries with about 117,800 deaths and around 1,379 cases. The current Delta outbreak has seen a decrease in deaths due to vaccinations.