Victoria records 275 new coronavirus cases, 12 schools close for deep cleaning
Twelve schools have closed for deep cleaning as details show where Victoria’s 275 new virus cases can be linked to.
Victoria has recorded 275 new cases of coronavirus, taking the state’s tally to 5942.
Despite the decrease from Sunday’s total, 12 more schools have closed for deep cleaning with the Al-Taqwa College outbreak nearing 200 infections.
The number of Victorians in hospital with the virus continues to rise at 147, an increase of 17 since Sunday, with 31 patients in intensive care.
Premier Daniel Andrews said another person had died from the virus, a woman in her 80s, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 39.
He said the woman was a resident from an aged care facility.
Mr Andrews said there were 2913 active cases in Victoria, with only 28 of the new cases connected to known and contained outbreaks, while 247 remained under investigation.
He said 26,588 tests were conducted on Sunday, taking the total of tests since January 1 this year to more than 1.33 million.
KNOWN OUTBREAKS
- 173 cases at Al-Taqwa College, Truganina
- 57 cases at Somerville Retail Services, Tottenham
- 36 cases at JBS abattoir, Brooklyn
- 4 cases at Nestle, Campbellfield
- 12 cases at Australian Lamb Company, Colac
- 5 cases at Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, Dandenong South
- 13 cases at Goodman Fielder Pampas, West Footscray
- 20 at LaManna Supermarket, Essendon Fields
- 18 cases at Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Park campus
AGED CARE HOMES HIT
SCHOOLS SHUT FOR DEEP CLEANING
- Charles La Trobe College
- Roxburgh College
- Overport Primary School
- Drysdale Primary School
- Toorak Primary School
- Princes Hill Secondary College
- Pascoe Vale Girls Secondary College
- Grovedale West Primary School
- Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
- Trinity College Colac
- Parkville College - Malmsbury Campus
- Leibler Yavneh College
The Premier said he was cautious about whether the lower numbers meant the curve of infections was flattening and said the rate of transmission was still “unstable”.
“I am much happier to be able to report a lower number than a higher one,” Mr Andrews said.
“We still haven't reached the two week mark. We shouldn’t interpret this data as if we’re in week five of a six week lockdown, it is only early and it takes some time.”
It comes as people in locked-down metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will be required to wear masks or face coverings when out of their homes from 11.59pm on Wednesday.
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 its not practical, for example when running, will be exempt from wearing a mask.
Mr Andrews said more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s coronavirus cases since mid-May were spread at workplace.
Education Minister James Merlino announced on Monday they already had 1.2 million single use masks that would be distributed to all government schools in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire over the coming days.
Mr Merlino said another 1.37 million reusable masks had been ordered and the Education Department would be one of the first to receive them early next week.
He said the Education Department would also provide single use and reusable masks to Catholic and independent schools.
“Any student who needs a mask will be provided with one,” Mr Merlino said.
“For teachers and staff … it is not a requirement for teachers in the classroom because it is not always practical. Teachers will not be required to wear a mask during instruction but beyond the classroom, in the staffroom, in the schoolyard, teachers and staff will be required to wear a mask.”
Remote learning from home for about 700,000 year prep to 10 in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire recommenced on Monday after the term two holidays, with Mr Merlino revealing 61,000 laptops and 23,000 SIM cards and internet dongles already distributed to Victorian students.
More than 14,000 infra-red thermometers have already been distributed to schools across Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
“I know this is a difficult time for everyone, particularly for our students and for parents in a home learning environment, but I want to reassure you the government is providing all the support we can to make sure that we get through this difficult period safely,” Mr Merlino said.
The amount of active cases in Victoria also surpassed the number of people who have recovered from the virus – 2819 – for the first time in months on Sunday.
Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said the new restrictions had become necessary due to the sharp increase in cases.
“These are tough measures but this virus is not selective,” Professor Sutton said.
“It will impact anyone it encounters and personal contact is the clear source of its transmission. We need everyone to do their part and ensure it is stopped in its tracks.”
Meanwhile, the first public hearing into Victoria’s bungled coronavirus hotel quarantine program started on Monday, with the first witnesses expected to be examined on August 6.
The inquiry heard that it may be possible every case of COVID-19 in Victoria in recent weeks could be sourced to the hotel quarantine program.
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