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- Victorians will join NSW and Queensland residents in lockdown after six new local cases of COVID-19 were recorded across Melbourne
- Victoria recorded six new local cases on Thursday, despite notching up zero community cases on Wednesday
- NSW’s Hunter Valley region becomes the latest area to enter lockdown after several COVID-19 cases were detected
- All up, NSW confirmed a record 262 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, while five people died after contracting the virus
- WA recorded zero cases today, despite a COVID-19 scare on Thursday, while Queensland recorded an additional 16 cases of the virus
Victorians will join NSW and Queensland residents in lockdown after six new local cases of COVID-19 were recorded across Melbourne.
The latest lockdown will begin from 8pm on Thursday, with residents across the state asked to stay home for the next week.
The Hunter Valley region of NSW also entered lockdown today after several COVID-19 cases were detected in the area.
The lockdown will run for a week beginning from 5pm tonight and includes the areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook.
Six cases have all been linked to the region, with many of the infections linked to schools and universities in Newcastle.
State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 266 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in NSW in the last 24 hours — a new daily record for this outbreak.
An additional five deaths occurred overnight among patients with COVID-19 and Ms Berejiklian said four of the deceased weren’t vaccinated.
“We extend our deepest condolences to all of their loved ones at the tragic loss. It’s horrible that, during this time, families are losing their loved ones,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I want to convey that unfortunately 4 out of those 5 people were not vaccinated at all and one person had 1 dose of AstraZeneca.”
NSW will receive 180,000 additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the coming weeks and Premier Berejiklian said it’s important everyone get immunised.
“We know from the stats and the facts that getting the vaccines reduces your chance of being contagious but also it saves you staying out of hospital and it saves you passing it on to all your loved ones,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m urging everyone to come forward and get vaccinated […] If we all work hard, we can get to the six million target by the end of August and these extra doses, of course, will help.”
Across the country, Victoria recorded six new local cases on Thursday, despite notching up zero community cases on Wednesday.
Western Australia had zero new infections today, positive news for the state after a weak COVID-19 positive was recorded in a community member on Wednesday.
Queensland recorded 16 new cases of the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the current cluster to a total of 79 cases.
