Daniel Andrews reveals grim ‘let it rip’ reality as Victoria hits highest hospitalisation numbers yet

The Victorian Premier has given insight into what could soon become reality if people don’t strictly obey isolation orders.

Daniel Andrews has revealed the grim reality Victoria faces if isolation orders are not strictly implemented as the state sets a record for Covid hospitalisations.

The Premier made the prediction during a coronavirus update on Tuesday, saying Victoria’s already under-pressure hospitals could quickly buckle.

“We have some people that are gravely ill, some people in intensive care, but the vast majority of people are in hospital and not requiring that sort of care,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“If we were to stop isolating people, if we were to stop testing, if we were to let this rip, we’ll finish up not with hundreds of people in general wards, we would finish up with thousands, and we all know what that means.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews has warned Victorians to obey isolation orders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

“It means every non-Covid case that requires hospitalisation won’t be able to get that care.”

Mr Andrews said fully vaccinated Victorians’ frustration at having to isolate was understandable.

“I know it’s deeply inconvenient, it’s frustrating to be double dose vaccinated and having to isolate at home,” he said.

He thanked people who were following the directions.

“It’s helping our health system, while it’s under enormous pressure, still cope with those who need important care.”

Victoria has hit its highest hospitalisation level since the pandemic began.

There are now 861 infected people in Victorian hospitals, with 117 in intensive care and 27 on ventilators.

Victoria’s previous peak for Covid hospitalisations was 851 in October when the state was battling a surge in Delta infections.

However, the figure is dwarfed by the 2186 people in New South Wales who are in hospital with Covid.

This includes more than 170 patients in intensive care, up from 2030 and 159 respectively on Monday.

Victoria recorded 37,994 new cases and 13 Covid deaths in the past 24 hours.

More than 93 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated and the state has 171,369 active cases.

People queue for Covid tests at the Melbourne Town Hall. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

A total of 59,670 PCR tests were taken on Monday and 16,433 vaccines were administered at state hubs.

Ambulances in Melbourne were forced to declare a code red for the second time in a week as services stretched desperately thin across the city.

The warning came after midnight on Tuesday with anyone needing non-emergency care urged to contact Nurse on Call services instead.

We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.

Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.

More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/7HJmrV6TZn

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) January 10, 2022

“Ambulance Victoria is experiencing an extremely high demand for ambulances in the metropolitan region,” a statement said.

“It is likely there will be a delay in an ambulance reaching you.

“Our priority is to provide care to Victorians who require lifesaving assistance.”

A week earlier, the embattled service implemented another code red as Victoria’s daily cases skyrocketed past 10,000.

More than 500 Ambulance Victoria staff were furloughed at the time with SES and Lifesaving Victoria used to help keep up with demand.

Originally published as Daniel Andrews reveals grim ‘let it rip’ reality as Victoria hits highest hospitalisation numbers yet