Brett Sutton, Daniel Andrews say Covid-zero aim is ‘nonsense’ as vaccine prioritised

Rather than aiming for zero cases like in previous Covid-19 outbreaks, the focus has shifted dramatically in the age of Delta.

The Victorian Premier has conceded the state might not have a “doughnut day” for a long time, because an “aggressive suppression” method is no match for the Delta variant.

After announcing 80 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, Daniel Andrews hit back at claims his government was obsessed with zero cases, labelling it “nonsense” because the virus had changed so much.

Instead, his focus is on ensuring the population gets vaccinated, while also maintaining strict public health measures.

“This thing runs really fast. If you open today with 600 cases, it is not 600 for long … We would be in an even worse position than NSW probably,” he said.

“We’ve just go to find it in ourselves to find a way to get past this.

“The race to 80 per cent vaccination is very important. There is nothing more important.”

Instead of aiming for Covid-zero, the Victorian government wants the 80 per cent vaccine threshold to be met quickly. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Andrews said that even states without any active cases of Delta could have an outbreak at any time.

“We don’t begrudge the fact other parts of the country have got zero cases, but that’s zero cases today,” he said.

“I don’t know what they will have next week or the week after. None of us know.”

Chief health officer Brett Sutton said Victoria had an “aggressive suppression strategy” but with Delta that might not be attainable.

“But we’re still not going to let it run,” he said.

“We’re not going to allow thousands upon thousands of cases to emerge. Because we know that the restrictions hold them in check.

“So, it’s not a binary choice of zero cases or allowing thousands upon thousands of daily cases to emerge.”

The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced 80 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

There are 600 active cases of Covid-19 in Victoria, with the state’s vaccination program now ramped up to include everyone from the age of 16.

Professor Sutton said although national targets included 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rates to be met before the next phase of a staged return to normal, he had no doubt Victorians could reach 90 per cent.

“We’ve got a long and proud history of high vaccination coverage,” he said.

“I hope those numbers continue and I hope that we aspire to even higher numbers than those targets that have been set nationally.”