More than 7,000 Victorians will be fast-tracked for elective surgery to pre-empt the expected peak of coronavirus as the number of cases in the state jumped by eight overnight.

The cases, of six men and two women, aged from teenagers to their 60s, were almost all returning travellers.

It takes the number of Victoria cases to 57, Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said on Sunday.

It came as the state government announced a $100 million package to boost the health system’s capacity to prepare for the pandemic’s peak.

Fast-tracked

New hospital beds will be opened to manage coronavirus cases and more than 7,000 Victorians will be fast-tracked for elective surgery.

More than $60 million will be made available for public and private hospitals to do extra surgeries, such as thyroid, prostate, hernia or gynaecological surgeries, so they can be done before the predicted peak.

Chevron Right Icon ‘We should not underestimate the change we face.’

Emergency surgeries will continue to be performed, but its likely procedures in less urgent cases will be delayed, the government says.

Premier Daniel Andrews said every sector of the economy will be affected.

“We should not underestimate the change we face,” he said.

Significant disruption

Andrews said the advice of health experts is not to close schools at this stage but foreshadowed significant disruption is likely.

He said there will be more discussion at noon at the national cabinet about social isolation matters.

Students at Australia’s most expensive private school will finish their first term early this week amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

Geelong Grammar school is ending the first term early amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Credit: AAP

Geelong Grammar School principal Rebecca Cody sent out a message to families and friends on Saturday saying the school will be cutting the term short at its four campuses.

Victoria’s Supreme Court and County Court have also taken the unprecedented step of suspending all new jury trials indefinitely amid the spread of the illness.

FILE | Victoria’s Supreme Court Credit: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

It will halt the empanelment process, in which hundreds of potential jurors gather at court, Victorian Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Ferguson said on Saturday.

Major events meant to be held in Victoria have been cancelled to help halt the spread of the illness, including this weekend’s Grand Prix and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

Footy fans won’t be able to attend the AFL season opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, with all games to be played without spectators for the foreseeable future.

The federal government is urging against non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people starting from Monday.

In the video below: Scott Morrison calls for ban on ‘non-essential’ mass gatherings