Coronavirus Victoria: Infections rise by 372, 14 new deaths
Hopes of Victoria’s daily coronavirus infections flatlining have been dashed with numbers again climbing and 14 more deaths recorded overnight.
Victoria’s daily coronavirus infections have risen again with 372 new cases recorded overnight, taking the state’s total to more than 16,100.
The state’s death toll has also climbed to 289, with 14 more people losing their lives overnight.
The rise in new daily cases comes just a day after Thursday’s figure of 278, which was Victoria’s lowest daily increase in 26 days since 217 new infections were recorded on July 18 and raised hopes the state may have past its peak.
The number of active cases in Victoria dropped below 7900 on Thursday but continues to hover around that mark, with active infections among healthcare workers about 1000 and more than 2000 actives cases connected to aged-care facilities.
More than 600 Victorians are in hospital with coronavirus, including about 37 in intensive care.
The new daily figures were announced by the Department of Health and Human Services over Twitter on Friday morning.
More details on Friday’s new cases are expected later at the Premier’s daily media briefing.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday health authorities would ramp up testing across three major regional centres after “significant growth” in coronavirus cases.
Mr Andrews warned there had been an increase in infections in the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo regions, with about 500 infections active in regional Victoria.
“Despite the fact they’re under a different set of rules, we have seen some growth in cases – significant growth that is of obvious concern,” he told reporters on Thursday afternoon.
“This is a wildly infectious disease and regional Victoria is not immune. Whether you’re in a small rural town or the suburbs, by coming forward and getting tested you’re doing your bit to protect your entire community.”
The three additional testing sites will be at Ballarat Respiratory Clinic, Geelong Cardinia Health and Bendigo Respiratory Clinic.
The coronavirus test isolation payment has also been increased to $450 across the state to try to ensure every Victorian gets tested, stays at home and doesn’t have to worry about missing wages.
Mr Andrews said mystery cases continued to plague the state and had risen to more than 3000.
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