- Victoria has recorded its deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic so far, with another 13 deaths occurring in the last 24 hours
- Case numbers have also jumped dramatically, with 723 new cases recorded today, the highest daily case total ever recorded in Australia
- Aged care homes continue to be hit hard by the pandemic, with close to 1,000 cases recorded and dozens of deaths
- The Victorian Premier said today’s spike was “concerning” and announced a number of new restrictions
- Everyone in Victoria will need to wear a face mask in public from midnight Sunday, while home visits have been restricted in some areas
- However, the stage-three lockdown conditions for Melbourne remain the same with no additional restrictions announced
Victoria has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic so far, with 13 more deaths and 723 new cases of COVID-19 recorded overnight.
That figure is the highest daily number of coronavirus cases ever recorded in Australia, smashing the previous record on July 27 of 532 casesin a single day.
The number has been labelled “concerning” by the Victorian Premier, who is again begging Melbournians to stay at home if they feel sick.
“I can understand people are concerned. We are all concerned as well. And that’s why the central point, the most important point is, you cannot go to work if you are sick. You simply can’t. All you will be doing is spreading the virus and putting people at risk,” Daniel Andrews said.
Aged-care disaster
Of the 13 people who died overnight after contracting the virus, 10 are linked to aged-care facilities in the state.
Sadly, aged care homes have become ground zero for the spread of the coronavirus, with 913 active COVID-19 cases recorded across the sector and dozens of deaths.
The Federal Government has intervened to try and stop the spread amongst the vulnerable population, sending in the “SAS of the medical world” to assist facilities overrun with cases.
The medical teams will also be deployed to hospitals in Victoria, which have recorded high numbers of staff contracting the virus.
Currently, more than 300 people are in hospital with the coronavirus, with 34 people in intensive care units.
New restrictions
Following today’s massive spike in case numbers, the Premier has announced face masks will become mandatory for all Victorians from midnight Sunday, August 2.
Previously only Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents had to wear masks in public, but that will now be extended to regional Victoria, to protect those country towns from becoming overrun with infections.
There are only 255 cases of COVID-19 in the regions, and Premier Andrews said they want to “jealously guard” those low numbers.
Along with new mask rules, several suburbs in south-west Melbourne will also be banned from having any visitors at their homes from midnight tonight, July 30.
These include the local government areas of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Moorabool, Golden Plains, Colac Otway, and Queenscliff.
But, cafes, restaurants and other hospitality venues will remain open in these areas.
Premier Andrews said this was because people are contracting the virus in their homes, not out in public where social distancing rules kick in and masks are worn.
“People are not necessarily keeping their distance in their family home,” he explained.
“It’s a natural thing, you let your guard down. Hugs and kisses and handshakes, not necessarily adhering to the protocols that are a feature of hospitality, cafes, restaurants, pubs being open,” he added.
Lockdown questioned
Today’s record amount of new cases, and large death toll, have prompted questions about Melbourne’s current stage-three lockdowns and whether or not they will be extended.
Premier Andrews wouldn’t confirm whether the lockdowns would be extended, but warned without restrictions the situation in Victoria would be much worse.
“If we were to reopen across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell shire today, then it will not be 700 cases a day. You can add a zero to that. And our hospitals will be overrun and we will be conducting more funerals,” he said.