Coronavirus Melbourne: Victoria records 374 new cases, infections rise again

Coronavirus infections have risen again in Victoria with 374 new cases and three more deaths, taking the state’s total to more than 6000 cases.

Victoria has recorded 374 new cases of coronavirus – the state’s second largest daily increase – taking the total number of infections to 6289.

Sadly, three more Victorians have died from the virus, with a woman in her 100s, a woman in her 90s and a woman in her 80s all passing away, taking the total number of deaths in the state to 42.

New infections rose again following Monday’s slight decrease to 275 new cases after 363 on Sunday.

KNOWN OUTBREAKS

• 175 cases at Al-Taqwa College, Truganina
• 60 cases at Somerville Retail Services, Tottenham
• 13 cases at Australian Lamb Company, Colac
• 38 cases at JBS, Brooklyn
• 42 cases at Estia Health, Ardeer
• 51 cases at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged, Fawkner
• 15 cases at Woolworths Distribution Centre, Mulgrave
• 31 cases at Glendale Aged Care facility, Werribee
• 9 cases at Melbourne City Mission, Albion
• 15 cases at St Vincent’s Hospital
• 24 cases at Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Park campus
• 17 cases at Embracia Aged Care Moonee Valley, Avondale Heights
  

NEW OUTBREAKS

• Iris Manor, Ashburton
• Mercy Place, Parkville
• Epping Gardens Aged Care

Melba College students in Croydon Deacon, Haylee and Sangpu made their own face masks during textiles class. Daniel Pockett/NCA NewsWire

Premier Daniel Andrews said he was cautious about describing it as a flattening of the curve when the decrease was announced on Monday, with the rate of transmission described as “unstable”.

The number of Victorians in hospital with the virus continues to rise at 174, an increase of 27 since Monday, with 36 patients in intensive care.

Mr Andrews said there were 3147 active cases in Victoria, with only 62 of the new cases connected to known and contained outbreaks, while 312 remained under investigation.

Mr Andrews said it was challenging to analyse any one day’s results.

“At the end of the day, we’re not seeing the doubling and doubling again, so what that says to me is that the sorts of measures we have put in place are having a direct impact,” he said.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said it was a “rollercoaster of numbers” but there had been some levelling in the past four or five days.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wears a mask at his daily media briefing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

Professor Sutton said he was not satisfied with 374 cases but it was “better than 3000”.

He said new community cases were becoming less and less but the four reasons to leave your house was still an opportunity for transmission, which is why masks were important.

“Masks to coronavirus are a bit like speed limits to our road toll, they protect you and they protect those around you,” Prof Sutton said.

“I don’t know that there would be many who would argue that we shouldn’t have speed limits on the roads because of the importance of protecting everyone in that setting. It really is the same for masks.

“It’s a small constraint on our liberties but it’s a really important one because there is no greater loss of liberty than the loss of your life.”

Prof Sutton said there had been some stabilisation in some postcodes, especially the postcodes where there had been restrictions for a longer period of time, while there had also been a decrease in new cases across the public housing towers.

Mr Andrews said 29,464 tests were conducted on Monday, with the total number of tests since January 1 this year more than 1.36 million.

“It’s essential that we continue to see people come forward and get tested with even the mildest of symptoms,” Mr Andrews said.

A Melburnian wears a mask while scooting during his daily commute. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“That gives us the information we need to trace, to track and to isolate and quarantine anyone who is a close contact or, indeed, a positive case.”

There has also been a rush to buy masks before it becomes mandatory for people in locked-down metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire to wear one when out of their homes from 11.59pm on Wednesday.

Bunnings, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi have all introduced purchase limits on masks as sales spiked ahead of the new rules.

Mr Andrews congratulated all Melburnians who were already wearing masks ahead of the new restrictions.

“Coming in this morning I think eight or nine out of the 10 people I saw were wearing a mask, that’s a fantastic effort,” he said.

“It is heartening to see so many people listening to those messages, changing their normal habits … as part of just the normal daily routine. It’s a small thing, but a bit like coming forward and getting tested.

“It makes a significant contribution given the amount of virus we have out in the Victorian community and our absolute determination as part of this six-week strategy to bring stability to those numbers and to drive them down.”

The new measures were announced by Mr Andrews on Sunday and will apply to people aged 12 and older. He said those who failed to comply would be hit with a $200 fine.

People with a medical or professional reason, or if it’s not practical, for example when running, will be exempt from wearing a mask.

It comes as an outbreak of 17 cases shut two Woolworths distribution centres in Melbourne’s southeast indefinitely, with the supermarket giant desperately trying to limit infections among staff as potential stock shortages loom.

More than a dozen schools have also closed for deep cleaning, while the Al-Taqwa College outbreak is nearing 200 infections.

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