Three more deaths, as Victoria records 217 new coronavirus cases
A woman in her 90s has died from coronavirus, bringing the state’s death toll since Friday to three. Earlier, health authorities expressed relief that the state had recorded a steep drop in new COVID-19 cases but warned against complacency.
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Three Victorians have died of coronavirus with 217 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours as a second wave of coronavirus continues to spread across the state.
A woman in her 90s and a woman and man, both in their 80s, are the latest victims to succumb to the deadly disease, taking the state’s death toll to 35.
Eleven new cases are linked to known outbreaks, one linked to quarantine and 205 are under investigation.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has described his relief at Saturday’s improved figures the day after three deaths and 428 new coronavirus cases were recorded — the state’s highest single-day total to date.
“Today’s number of 217 new cases is a relief after yesterday’s number, certainly a relief to someone like me who has been watching the daily numbers for six months … 217 is much better than a number above 400,” he said.
“But it is a number that would have shocked us all a month ago.
“We need to remember it is still a high number, it will contribute to the number of active cases and again, there will be a number of people hidden in this number today who will require hospitalisation or intensive care in days to come.”
In total, 5353 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Victoria.
The number of patients in hospital and intensive care has also dipped.
Prof Sutton said the number of patients in hospital is 112, a decrease of 12 from yesterday.
There are 25 patients in intensive care, a decrease of six from yesterday and 18 on ventilators, a decrease of four.
Premier Daniel Andrews said Saturday’s figure was “heartening” as the state’s testing blitz continued.
“The heartening thing is there are more tests than yesterday and about half the cases,” he said.
However, new cases have emerged at aged care homes in Ballarat and Bendigo, and an additional 11 healthcare workers have tested positive to COVID-19.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said she was “concerned” to see the numbers increase in aged care homes.
“The three new aged care facilities are Bethlehem aged care facility in Bendigo, Bill Crawford Lodge in Ballarat — my understanding is both those cases it is a single staff member that has tested positive in each of those facilities, and also Bupa in Edithvale,” she said.
The Al-Taqwa College outbreak has increased to 164.
The JBS abattoir has now 33 cases, while there are 23 cases at Glendale aged care in Werribee and 21 cases at the Northern Hospital.
There are three cases linked to the Warringal Hospital in Heidelberg, nine cases at St Basil’s in Fawkner and five cases linked to Clever Kids Childcare in Ashburton.
Thirteen cases have been linked to Estia Health in Heidelberg, and one new case has been recorded at Colac’s Australian Lamb Company.
No further restrictions were announced today, but Mr Andrews reiterated health authorities were “not in a position” to reveal how a stage-four lockdown would look.
”There have been some minor changes, some advice around trying to exercise in your local community, the notion of day trips as we spoke about,” Mr Andrews said.
“That was principally so Victoria Police could have total clarity about how to apply the rules, but it also serves to give people advice ... whether you are in Broadmeadows or Brighton, stay at home means stay at home.
“And if walking your local streets is boring — well, being bored is much better than being in intensive care.”
Meanwhile in North Melbourne, the Alfred Street tower hard lockdown will end at 11.59pm tonight — but not for every resident.
A number of residents who tested positive, along with close contacts of positive cases, will remain under quarantine.
“I want to be really clear with residents and with the broader community that lockdown doesn’t end for every single resident,” Mr Andrews said.
“There are a number of people, maybe as many as one-third of those residents who are either contacts of somebody who has tested positive, or someone who has tested positive while that lockdown has been in place.”
The government will continue providing support including groceries and cooked meals for those still in quarantine.
”We will provide groceries, perishable food, cooked meals, we will continue to provide all the basics that those residents need as well as mental health support, counselling, it’s a massive team down there doing the very, very best,” Mr Andrews said.
“But while that 14-day lockdown ends tonight, the notion of quarantine or the notion of being isolated in your residence, that will not and for a number of people for a number of days to come.”
A year 12 student from Leibler Yavneh College has tested positive for coronavirus.
The student was last in attendance at the college last Wednesday, according to the Australian Jewish News.
A school statement said that students or staff members identified as “close contacts” would be contacted and given appropriate advice.
“The Balaclava Rd campus will continue to operate as normal,” it said.
“We wish the student a full and speedy recovery.”
HEALTHCARE HEROES’ PLEA FOR VICTORIANS
The heroes forming Victoria’s last line of defence against coronavirus say they have our backs — but now we need to have theirs.
Amid rising demand for their skills and increasing COVID-19 cases among their workforce, the state’s healthcare workers have united to issue a plea to support their selfless efforts.
More than 120 coronavirus patients are being treated in Victoria’s hospitals — up from just four a month ago — and the number is expected to spiral in the coming days.
Among the 31 sickest patients Victoria’s medics are fighting to save in intensive care is one of their own, a suburban GP.
One hundred and fifty healthcare workers have coronavirus and, while most have been infected outside their workplace, they are under increasing pressure to put themselves in harm’s way from a surging wave of COVID-19.
“We’ve all got each others’ backs, and we need the public to have our back as well,” Royal Melbourne Hospital intensive care nurse Sue Cossar said.
As well as calling on ordinary Victorians to stay at home to stop the virus spread, medics from across Melbourne’s hospitals are pleading for anyone with non-COVID-19 conditions to seek treatment, and to trust them and the health system.
Intensive care unit assistant nurse manager at The Alfred, Amelia Terracall said: “You never want to need us, so keep following the guidelines and do everything you can to stay well.”
Earlier this week Premier Daniel Andrews called on households to become the state’s frontline against COVID-19, with hospitals reserved as the last line of defence.
On Friday, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told the Herald Sun every Victorian was now responsible for ensuring healthcare workers are not overwhelmed by COVID-19, simply by following the social-distancing rules.
“Our dedicated doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff are facing a challenge the likes of which our generation has never seen,” Ms Mikakos said. “They’re turning up to work everyday to care for us when we need them most.
“While they are our heroes, they’re our last line of defence, and we are all on the front line.
“They deserve nothing less than our absolute gratitude, respect and support.”
Despite rapidly rising cases in Victoria’s second wave of coronavirus, Royal Women’s Hospital director of surgical services Andrew Buettner said time to prepare had given Melbourne’s hospitals a huge advantage that the did not have earlier this year.
“It doesn’t mean we are not anxious, but it makes a significant difference,” Dr Buettner said.
“There is a lot of anxiety about. I feel that as a clinician, who has to look after patients, you worry about your care of them. And, as a manager, you also feel that with other staff.”
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s Jenelle Loeliger said it was crucial cancer patients and others with serious conditions continued to seek the care they need, regardless of COVID-19 cases.
“It is definitely a chaotic time, but we want to reassure everyone that it is safe to come to Peter Mac to see their oncology team or seek advice,” Ms Loeliger said.
Royal Children’s Hospital nurse Kiara Blackwood said: “We are doing our best to keep your safe, please stay home to keep us safe.”
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