Coronavirus: Victoria records 273 new cases and one death

Victoria has reported 273 new cases of coronavirus – another unsettling result after a shocking week of record daily numbers for the state.

Victoria has reported 273 new cases of coronavirus after a shocking week of record new daily numbers for the state.

It takes the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 3799.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he’d noticed roads in Melbourne were less busy than usual, with the city going through its first weekend since the second lockdown started.

He thanked Victorians for taking the health situation seriously.

“Driving in this morning from the middle ring, the middle southeastern suburbs, it is very noticeable that there is a lot less traffic,” Mr Andrews said.

“We’ve all seen lots of footage, lots of reports about very few people moving around. Retail centres – very few people moving around the city. I want to thank every single Victorian for taking these rules seriously, for taking the circumstances that we face seriously.

“This is a dangerous time. This is a very challenging time, and I know we are asking a lot of Victorians, but we simply have no choice but to acknowledge the reality that we face and to do what must be done, and that is to follow those rules, to only go out when you need to, and to only go out for the purposes that are lawful.”

Victoria has also recorded another death. A man in his 70s died overnight, taking the national death toll to 108.

“I am sad to have to report that another gentleman has passed away, a man in his 70s,” Mr Andrews said.

“I can’t provide you with any further information about the specifics of that particular individual, but, of course, we send our best wishes and assure that family that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

“This will be a very, very difficult time for them.”

The latest figures come after a cluster of eight coronavirus cases was recorded among staff at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

The hospital says the cluster includes five cases acquired through community transmission and three cases detected through contact tracing.

It’s the second time the hospital had reported a cluster of cases during the pandemic — the first time was at the beginning when a cluster was detected in March.

Currently no patients have contracted the virus through the hospital.

The hospital has now put in place a concierge at the entrance of the Infectious Diseases Ward and the cleaning efforts have been increased.

Mr Andrews also announced changes to schooling in the state.

From tomorrow, most students in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will have their school holidays extended to July 20 and from then on will go back to remote and flexible learning.

Mr Andrews said Year 11 and 12 students, and Year 10 students taking VCAL subjects in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will be exempt from the walk back, and will return to regular face-to-face learning. Specialist schools will also be returning to classrooms. Classrooms in regional Victoria will continue as normal.

“I want to say is I know this will be very, very challenging for many, many parents. There is simply no alternative but to go to this footing,” Mr Andrews said.

“We can’t have the best part of 700,000 students as well as parents moving to and from school, moving around the community, as if there wasn’t a stay at home order, as if there wasn’t a lockdown.”

Mr Andrews said these orders will stay in place until at least August 19. The state had already extended its Winter school holidays earlier this month, adding five pupil free days as the number of coronavirus cases began to spike.