Victorian COVID-19 cases jump by 216 as ‘cumulative outbreaks’ pass 100

Victoria’s coronavirus crisis continues to worsen, with “100 cumulative outbreaks” making tracking the spread a diabolical challenge.

Victoria has recorded 216 new cases of coronavirus and one death, with the Victorian chief health officer saying more than 100 “cumulative outbreaks” were making finding the source of the virus a challenge.

The state’s chief health officer, Brett Sutton, told reporters on Saturday that only 30 of today’s cases were linked to known outbreaks, with the other 186 under investigation.

“Essentially we’ve got over 100 cumulative outbreaks now, so it’s very difficult to speak to the 30 cases with each and every one of those outbreaks, but we are seeing single cases with staff members in aged care facilities,” Professor Sutton said.

Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton says cases in aged care staff are being closely watched. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

The new cases bring Victoria’s total to 3560.

No cases have been detected in returned travellers in hotel quarantine, the Department of Health and Human Services reported, meaning the bulk of the spread is happening via community transmission.

Of the 1249 active cases in Victoria, 535 may indicate community transmission, according to the department.

Of the total cases, 3176 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne and 279 are from regional Victoria.

The top 10 council areas in terms of coronavirus cases, as of Saturday. Source: Department of Health and Human Services

A man in his 90s died Friday night from the virus, bringing the state’s death toll to 23.

Premier Daniel Andrews would not be drawn on the specifics of where the disease was spreading, saying all of Melbourne was now at risk.

“We’ve seeing significant numbers out of the northern and western suburbs, but it’s in other parts of Melbourne,” he told reporters on Saturday.

“I wouldn’t want anyone in Melbourne to think this isn’t relevant to you. It is relevant to your family, your street, your community and all of us. We’ve all got a part to play.

“There is a big representation in that corridor (but) it is in every part of Melbourne. Some at very low levels but it won’t be at low levels for long if people don’t follow the rules.”

Premier Dan Andrews arrives to speak to media at a press conference in Melbourne on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

Professor Sutton said authorities were “really mindful” of containing cases the aged care workforce.

“The response in each and every aged care facility is to go into lockdown for those residents and all staff to be tested and for them to go into quarantine period of 14 days and to have that testing before that quarantine is lifted for all residents and staff members,” Professor Sutton said.

“But it flags the dangers in aged care facilities. Victoria had more outbreaks there than any jurisdiction, but we haven’t had an aged care facility that has had a substantial outbreak.

“I think that’s in large part because we had the early robust response in terms of testing everyone and going into lockdown.”

People are seen wearing masks at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

There are 49 Victorians in hospital due to coronavirus with 15 in intensive care.

“You’ve got to be in your home if you are in the metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire, and only for those four reasons, only if you need to leave your home for one of those four reasons,” Mr Andrews said.

The four reasons people in these areas can leave home are:

• Shopping for food or other essential items
• Work or study, if they cannot work or study from home
  
• To provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
  
• Exercise (without leaving metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire).
  

The tough measures were designed to stop the virus spreading to regional Victoria, Mr Andrews said.

Premier Dan Andrews says all Victorians have a part to play in stopping the spread. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

“As frustrating, as inconvenient and as challenging as it is, we cannot deny the reality of the situation we face, and we cannot pretend that doing anything other than following the rules will get us to the other side of this,” the Premier said.

The Al-Taqua school outbreaks continues to be the state’s largest cluster of COVID-19 and the state government has urged all Victorians to wear masks in public.

Meanwhile, the Victorian government has ordered about two million face masks.

In New South Wales, 14 new cases have been confirmed, including a man in 20s who had travelled from Melbourne to Sutherland in Sydney’s south.

Mr Andrews was unable to confirm on Saturday how many new cases were from residents in housing towers in Melbourne.

“Everyone in the tower is essentially being treated for the purposes of the public health response as if they have the virus,” Mr Andrews said.

“There are a number of people who do in fact have it.”

Residents in the Alfred St tower will be subject to another week of quarantine.