Live Breaking News: Victoria covid lockdown updates and Melbourne cases

Victoria’s outbreak has grown again with an increase in mystery cases. Just 17 of the new cases were isolating while infectious. Follow us live.

Apologies for the technical issues this morning. We have our Victorian live blog up and running again, which means we will no longer be updating this story, you can find the blog here.

Victoria records 45 new cases

There’s been a positive reduction in the overall number of new daily Covid infections in Victoria — but the state has seen a rise in mystery cases and cases who were out in the community.

Of the 45 local cases reported in the state, 36 are linked to current outbreaks and 17 have been in quarantine throughout their infectious period.

That means that 28 of the new cases were out in the community, and nine new mystery cases were detected.

There were 31,629 vaccine doses were administered in the state and 53,321 test results were received.

Reported yesterday: 45 new local cases and no new cases acquired overseas.
- 31,629 vaccine doses were administered
- 53,321 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/9r4LdG2c1T

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) August 24, 2021

Victorian vax site crashes for second day

Victorians have vented their frustrations after the government’s vaccine booking website crashed for the second time in two days after a major Pfizer announcement.

“Trying to register for vaccine, website seems to have crashed. What’s going on ? Upgrade IT systems people,” one person said on Twitter.

Another posted a screenshot of the error message they received when trying to open the vaccine portal alongside the note: “Victoria covid vaccine booking portal right now at 6.45am in morning.”

Surprise reason Victoria could exit lockdown

The state’s lockdown is not expected to end on time – because of the number of mystery cases emerging and infected people who are not in isolation – but there may be a new way forward.

Premier Daniel Andrews has repeatedly said he wants to see multiple days of zero cases in isolation before lifting the lockdown, but Health Department sources have reportedly said they may now be looking at a broader goal. It means the state may not need to wait until there are single digit case increases each day before the lockdown lifts.

Sources told the Herald Sun the statewide lockdown could be lifted with double-digit daily cases if authorities believe contact tracers have “got their arms around” the outbreak.

A Health Department source said: “It will be more about how many mystery cases are there. Do the contact tracers believe they have their arms around it?”

The lockdown is supposed to end on September 2.

Victoria recorded 50 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Monday, only 11 of whom were in quarantine during their infectious period.

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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Authorities still believe the state’s outbreak can be brought under control, but are concerned by a growing number of mystery cases – and the fact that cases are spreading further afield.

The outbreak has recently spread to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, along with Essendon West, Fitzroy North, Thornbury, Camberwell and Maidstone across Melbourne.

When asked if there was any chance of getting a ring around the outbreak by September 2, Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said he remained hopeful.

“If we continue to work together, we have pulled six, seven outbreaks now in the last eight months, so collectively as a Victorian community we can absolutely do that,” he said.

“We can cap the rising cases and get it down, because if we don’t, we are looking at the other side of the Murray River and that’s what is awaiting us.”

Mad rush for jabs begins

Victorians woke up at the crack of dawn this morning to secure a Covid vaccination booking as the state massively expanded its rollout from 7am today.

The state government website to book a Covid-19 vaccine appointment crashed within minutes of Premier Daniel Andrews announcing any Victorian aged 16 and older will now be eligible for the Pfizer jab.

Mr Andrews revealed Victorians aged between 16 and 39 would be able to book a Pfizer jab from 7am on Wednesday at the state-run vaccination centres.

RELATED: Young mum identified after Covid death

A long queue forms outside the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

He also announced an extra 830,000 first dose vaccination appointments would be made available, which would be split about 50 per cent between the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.

When asked about the website crashing, Mr Andrews said they were never happy to see their systems overwhelmed but it just spoke to the number of Victorians who wanted to protect themselves against the virus.

“I don’t know if you can build a website big enough for over 1.2 million people who want to get vaccinated,” the Premier said.