Breaking news: Where Victoria’s new virus numbers are from
The latest concerning clusters of COVID-19 in Victoria revealed.
Coronavirus
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Victoria recorded 357 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday with five deaths as the second wave of the pandemic continues in the state.
Sadly, a woman in her 60s, a woman in her 70s, a woman in her 80s, a woman in her 90s, and a man in his 80s have died from COVID-19.
As the state grapples to bring the virus under control, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the second wave was an “unfolding tragedy that is hard to get your head around.”
“This isn’t like the first wave: the numbers have remained stubbornly high,” he said. “They haven’t gone up significantly and they haven’t gone down significantly in the last week.”
Of the 357 new cases identified in the 24 hours to midday Saturday, 37 are connected to known outbreaks and 320 are still under investigation.
There are 229 Victorians in hospital and 22 in intensive care.
The new cases were identified out of 20,313 tests, and Mr Andrews said aged care facilities were a particular concern for the government.
There are multiple significant outbreaks at aged care facilities across Melbourne, with 536 active cases in 38 aged care settings and infections split “roughly” evenly between staff and residents.
In total, there are 3,395 active cases of COVID-19 in Victoria.
Mr Andrews did not announce any other new restrictions on Saturday including the much-speculated stage four lockdown, but said, “Masks are effectively our stage four.”
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to travel in here this morning and see literally every single person wearing a mask,” he said.
“The vast majority of Victorians are doing the right thing. We’ll only get to the other side of this if we all work together.”
However, Mr Sutton said it “doesn’t look like we’ll be opening back up in a couple of weeks.”
“It looks like it will be a longer haul than that,” he said. “There is no magic bullet here - there is nothing that will, all of a sudden, see the numbers hit zero in the next couple of weeks.”
WHERE THE CASES COME FROM
- 74 cases linked to St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner
- 71 cases linked to aged care facility Estia Health in Ardeer
- 60 cases linked to Menarock Life Aged Care in Essendon
- 44 cases linked to aged care facility Estia Health in Heidelberg
- 49 cases linked to Glendale Aged Care in Werribee
- 23 cases linked to Baptcare Wyndham lodge in Werribee
- 22 cases linked to Regis Aged Care in Brighton
- 138 cases linked to the Al-Taqwa College
- 80 cases linked to Somerville Retails Services in Tottenham
- 45 cases linked to Australian Lamb Company in Colac
- 21 cases linked to Woolworths Distribution Centre in Mulgrave
- 10 cases linked to StarTrack parcel distribution in Laverton
- 7 cases linked to Bingo Recycling in West Melbourne
- 5 cases linked to staff at KFC Truganina
- 5 cases linked to Probe Group in Melbourne CBD
- 2 cases linked to D’Orsogna Meats in Mickleham
- 2 cases linked to Alfred Health Grand Chancellor Hotel
There are 313 active cases who are healthcare workers, which Mr Andrews said was a “significant challenge” for the healthcare system that was “being managed as best as it possibly can.”
One Australian Defence Force member has also tested positive. That member was assisting with testing operations in Craigieburn.
Mr Andrews said the state and federal governments were working together on measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in aged care, including:
- Consolidating shifts to prevent individual aged care staff members working across multiple facilities and potentially spreading the coronavirus between facilities, with “financial support” for those staff members.
- Visitor limits to aged care facilities
- Starting a program of “asymptomatic testing” to identify staff who have the virus and don’t know
- Federal government deploying five new “testing teams” in aged care facilities
- “Additional and intensive” training on infection control for aged care workers
- Mandatory PPE staff for aged care staff
“Aged care settings, particularly with many casual workers, are a really challenging setting,” he said.
“It is incredibly difficult to keep this out of aged care settings.”
It follows 300 new cases and seven deaths recorded on Friday, with five deaths linked to aged care facilities.
Globally, the World Health Organisation reported a record single-day increase in global coronavirus cases on Saturday with 284,196 new cases in 24 hours.
Key messages from the Victorian government
- Stay home and get tested if you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) no matter how mild: including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of sense of smell or taste. Go home straight after your test and self-isolate while you wait for the results. Go to the DHHS testing map for locations.
- The Victorian Government's one-off $1,500 worker support payment is available to support Victorian workers who are required to self-isolate. Victorians can call 1800 675 398 (option 8) to register for support. For more information on eligibility criteria, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker support payment page.
- People living in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are required to wear a face covering when leaving their home, unless a lawful exception applies. The fine for not wearing a face covering will be $200.
- This is an anxious and uncertain time for everyone, and support is vital and available. For more information about managing stress and support options, call the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Services on 1800 512 348 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.