The number of coronavirus cases in Victoria has risen to 178 as the City of Melbourne rolls out a support package for Queen Victoria Market traders, including rent relief.

Key points: The official tally Victorian cases has risen to 178 after 28 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed overnight

The official tally Victorian cases has risen to 178 after 28 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed overnight The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) said Victorian farmers had "plenty of food" but the way people were buying was causing problems

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) said Victorian farmers had "plenty of food" but the way people were buying was causing problems It also said if export markets closed, Victorians could end up with a glut of food

The 28 new cases include 18 men and 10 women aged between their mid-teens to late 60s.

Six people are recovering in hospital, while 39 people have recovered.

The majority of cases have been identified in and around metropolitan Melbourne, but yesterday authorities revealed cases in Ballarat, Geelong and the Latrobe Valley.

It was announced on Friday that a Victorian police officer and a second University of Melbourne staff member were among those diagnosed with COVID-19.

Victoria COVID-19 snapshot Confirmed cases so far: 19,728

Confirmed cases so far: 19,728 Confirmed active cases: 1,483

Confirmed active cases: 1,483 Deaths: 701

Deaths: 701 Suspected cases of community transmission where the source is unknown: 4,306

Suspected cases of community transmission where the source is unknown: 4,306 Cases in hospital: 169

Cases in hospital: 169 Intensive care patients: 17

Intensive care patients: 17 Active cases in regional Victoria: 72

Active cases in regional Victoria: 72 Active cases in healthcare workers: 251

Active cases in healthcare workers: 251 Active cases linked to aged care outbreaks: 763

Active cases linked to aged care outbreaks: 763 Tests since pandemic began: More than 2.44 million Updated Thursday September 10 Latest Victorian Government info

Ringwood police station in Melbourne's east has been temporarily closed for thorough cleaning after an officer who worked there on Tuesday tested positive to the virus.

The officer had only returned from annual leave on Tuesday when they learnt someone they had been in contact with while they were on leave had tested positive to COVID-19.

In a statement, police said the officer was "performing duties that involved minimal contact with members of the public".

The officer was placed into self-isolation along with two other members of Victoria Police who had close contact with the affected officer.

Meanwhile, the University of Melbourne has confirmed its second case of COVID-19 in a staff member who delivered a one-hour lecture to a small group of graduate students on Tuesday.

The university has now set up a dedicated page to update its community on future cases, rather than send a separate email to staff as more cases are diagnosed.

The latest details of Victorian cases have emerged as Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced updated social distancing advice to slow the spread of coronavirus, after today's National Cabinet meeting.

For gatherings of less than 100 people in an enclosed space, the Government is now recommending four square metres per person.

It means that in a room of 100 square metres, there would be no more than 25 people.

Queen Victoria Market bailed out but other traders still struggling

The City of Melbourne has announced a three-month support package to help Queen Victoria Market remain open amid concerns Melbourne's hospitality industry is on the brink of collapse.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the economic impacts from the virus would be significant to the state's biggest tourist attraction.

"Queen Victoria Market is home to over 600 small businesses and a 2,000-strong workforce. The vast majority of these businesses are small family operations with just a few employees so it's vital that we support the market during these difficult times," Cr Capp said.

The support package includes:

50 per cent rent relief for non-food related traders

50 per cent rent relief for non-food related traders 25 per cent rent relief for produce and food-related traders

25 per cent rent relief for produce and food-related traders An option for some traders to temporarily close

An option for some traders to temporarily close Marketing and promotion, and business support

Cafe, restaurant and entertainment venue owners are crying out for similar help from the State Government to ensure they are not forced to close.

Melbourne's hospitality leaders told the ABC on Wednesday that the ban on indoor gatherings and need for social distancing meant Melbourne's beloved food and wine scene was beginning to shut down.

Hospitality consultant Dean Jarvis said government intervention was the only thing that could make sure businesses stayed afloat.

"A lot of small businesses are already hanging on the edge," he said on Thursday.

"People will be playing catch up for one or two years, possibly more. If it really goes under it will be really hard to get it back to the level that it was," he said.

Panic buyers told to 'settle your farm'

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has stepped up its call for an end to the panic buying phenomenon, which has stripped supermarket shelves of essential items, disproportionately hurting vulnerable shoppers.

The VFF's president, David Jochinke, said Victorian farmers had "plenty of food" but the way people were buying was causing problems.

A large number of shoppers queued up near the La Manna and Sons greengrocer at Essendon this morning. ( Supplied: Clare Scott )

"All we're asking is to settle your farm, take a moment and think about what you really need," he said.

"The last thing we want to see is food waste … the last thing we want to see is people miss out.

"Remember and understand we have your food. We grow quality food in Victoria. In fact we export a massive amount of food that we produce, nearly 60 per cent."

If ports close, a food glut could follow

VFF vice president Emma Germano, who farms at South Gippsland, said if export markets closed, Victorians could end up with a glut of food.

"We actually have to be really mindful that the bigger threat here to food security is [if] we have export markets closing down," she said.

Federation Square is exempt from the ban but people were avoiding the area on Thursday. ( ABC News: Ron Ekkel )

"What farmers are really worried about is … that we might end up with a glut in a month's time or two months' time."

She said keeping ports open should be a priority for authorities responding to the crisis.

"Because if we're majority exporters … the worst possible thing that could happen is that we end up with all of that staying in the domestic market and actually that we would see prices crash."