It feels like only a year ago that Aussies watched in shock as COVID-19 case numbers in Victoria inexplicably rose. Well, here we are again.

The state recorded 1438 cases in the past 24 hours - nearly 500 cases more than the day before.

You don't have to be a math genius to know that that is a pretty big leap.

So, where did they come from? That's the question I am sure the state's contract tracers are working desperately to answer.

Authorities have blamed hundreds of people who decided to visit AFL grand final parties last weekend despite the state's strict lockdown orders.

COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said that this made the vaccine rollout even more important than ever and urged anyone who went to a grand final gathering to get tested as soon as possible.

"You don't know if someone there was harbouring the virus," he said.

If that truly is the case, there's very good reason for NSW and QLD to be on high alert, given the NRL decider is coming up on Sunday.

The sell-out crowd for the grand final, being held at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, has now had to be slashed to 75 per cent amid growing concerns of additional cases in the community.

NSW cases are still in the high hundreds and with 'freedom day' just around the corner, a small gathering with fellow footy fans could be pretty tempting for some.

But let's not get complacent now.

If Victoria's numbers are anything to go by, NSW residents will have to try and tough this one out despite our soaring jab numbers.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also announced that the faster than expected vaccination rates means students will be able to return to the classroom sooner.

Down in Tassie, there are concerns that opening the border in the coming months could lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said modelling had predicted there would be 590 hospital admissions and almost 100 deaths in the first six months of the border opening.

Those numbers are a daunting potential reality for a state that has never experienced a large-scale COVID-19 outbreak. I can't blame them for being concerned after everything those of us in lockdown states have been through this year.

It might seem like there is a lot of doom and gloom about today, so maybe it's time to do something fun; binge that show, go for a walk or check out these adorable future police dogs.

Whatever you decide to do, try and remember that tomorrow is a new day!

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