Victoria records 217 new infections, hours after state’s worst daily increase

Victoria has recorded another worrying triple-digit rise in virus cases, with more infections emerging inside aged care homes and more deaths.

Victoria has recorded 217 new infections, adding to the state’s total of 5353 cases.

Three more people have died, taking the state’s death toll to 35.

A man and a woman, both in their 80s, and a woman in her 90s, all died in hospital.

Of the new cases 11 are linked to known outbreaks, one to hotel quarantine and 205 cases are under investigation, Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Saturday afternoon.

A total of 110 Victorians are in hospital, a decrease of 12 from yesterday – 25 are in intensive care.

But infected aged care workers across the state has grown to 405 after 11 more tested positive overnight.

KNOWN OUTBREAKS

• 160 cases linked to Al-Taqwa College, Truganina
• 33 cases at JBS abattoir, Brooklyn
• 23 cases at Glendale Aged Care, Weribee
• 21 cases at Northern Hospital, Epping
• 3 cases at Warringal Private Hospital, Heidelberg
• 9 cases at St Basil’s Aged Care, Fawkner
• 5 cases at Clever Kids Childcare, Ashburton

NEW CASES AT AGED CARE HOMES

• 1 staff member at Bethlehem Aged Care, Bendigo
• 1 staff member at Bill Crawford Lodge, Ballarat
• 1 case at Bupa Aged Care, Edithvale

Victoria’s Chief Medical Officer Brett Sutton revealed more infections in aged care homes across Victoria. Wayne Taylor/ NCA NewsWire

Victoria’s Chief Medical Officer Brett Sutton said the decrease in new daily cases was a “relief” but said the numbers were still high.

Mr Andrews warned this was “no normal” weekend and urged Victorians to stay home.

“We can’t pretend this is over because we want it to be, we have to find a COVID normal,” he said.

Mr Andrews warned at least a third of the residents detained inside 33 Alfred St public housing tower in North Melbourne would remain in lockdown, despite freedom looming at midnight on Saturday.

He said a “significant number” had either tested positive, or were close contacts and needed to remain in quarantine.

Other residents able to walk free would be eased to stage three restrictions, like the rest of Melbourne.

It comes after the state recorded its worst day on Friday with 428 new coronavirus cases.

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos says more COVID-19 testing sites will be set up across regional Victoria. David Crosling/ NCA NewsWire

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT CANCELLED

The next sitting fortnight of federal parliament has been cancelled, due to concerns of the growing coronavirus situation in Victoria and New South Wales.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the August 4 sitting would not go ahead following advice from the acting Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Paul Kelly.

“He advises that, despite proposed mitigation measures, the risks posed by a parliamentary sitting are significantly higher and unlikely to be resolved in the next month,” Mr Morrison confirmed in a statement on Saturday morning.

Read the full story here: Federal parliament canned over COVID-19