Victoria’s breakthrough moment with14 new coronavirus cases, 5 deaths
Victoria has recorded its lowest tally of new coronavirus cases in three months, bringing its 14-day average down to a welcome new low.
Victoria has recorded 14 new coronavirus cases – its lowest tally for three months – as five more people died from the virus.
The last time the state announced fewer cases was on June 19, when 13 new cases were diagnosed, the Department of Health and Human Services said.
According to the DHHS’ daily case tracker - which the department says provides the most up-to-date data available - there were 13 new infections confirmed on June 21. Daily case numbers are sometimes reclassified pending further investigations.
It brings the total number of cases in Victoria to 20,042, and takes its 14-day average to 36.2.
That figure, if maintained, could trigger the long-awaited winding back of lockdown measures in Melbourne by next week.
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Metropolitan Melbourne must reach an average daily case rate of between 30 and 50 cases over the preceding fortnight to trigger an easing of restrictions from September 28.
In announcing the state’s roadmap earlier this month, Premier Daniel Andrews described what that would look like.
“The second step, from the 28 September, subject to public health advice and subject to the average daily cases in between 30 and 50 at that point, public gatherings will be increased to five people from two households, schools, they will be a staged return of school for prep, grade one, grade two,” he said.
“Childcare reopens. More workplaces open.
“Around 100,000 workers who are currently unable to attend work will be able to attend work in a number of different industries and you have a breakdown of those different industries.”
There were 52 cases from an unknown source in metropolitan Melbourne and none in regional Victoria.
Regional Victoria’s 14-day average sits at 1.8.
The death toll from start of pandemic now stands at 761.
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