Victoria records 532 cases in state’s darkest day since coronavirus pandemic started

Victoria has recorded 532 new infections overnight, in what is the state’s worst day since the coronavirus pandemic started.

Victoria has recorded 532 new infections overnight, in what is the state’s worst day since the coronavirus pandemic started.

There were six more deaths overnight. Women in their 90s, 80s and 70s and men in their 50s, 70s and 80s. Five of the six deaths were connected to aged-care outbreaks.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said 245 Victorians were in hospital, with 44 in intensive care.

There are currently 683 active cases connected to aged care, while there are at least 400 healthcare workers infected.

“As it stands there are too many people right now attending work with symptoms. Do something we’ll be grateful for. Don’t go about your normal business, don’t attend work with symptoms, get tested,” Mr Andrews said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says people attending work with symptoms is driving the number of virus cases up. Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire

AGED-CARE CRISIS ‘DISTURBING’

Victoria’s Chief Medical Officer Brett Sutton said virus numbers in aged-care facilities across Melbourne were “disturbing”.

He said they were the consequence of high community-transmission amid Victoria’s second wave.

“We’re at a very challenging stage with the second wave. There are a lot more cases of community-transmission in second waves and that’s certainly true in Victoria,” he said.

Mr Sutton said infected aged-care workers were a “significant” number running into the “hundreds”.

• 84 cases at St Basil’s, Fawkner
• 82 cases at Estia Aged Care, Ardeer
• 77 cases at Epping Gardens, Epping
• 62 cases at Menarock, Essendon
• 53 cases at Glendal, Werribee
• 57 cases at Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes, Kilsyth
• 50 cases at Estia Aged Care, Heidelberg

There are 62 positive cases at Menarock in Essendon. Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire

CASES RISE IN BRIMBANK, GREATER DANDENONG

Victoria’s CHO Brett Sutton warned Melbourne local government areas of Brimbank and Greater Dandenong were experiencing an “uptick” in COVID-19 cases.

He attributed this to “volatile” outbreaks in aged-care facilities and a subsequent “spill-out” from close contacts.

But Mr Sutton said infections in North Melbourne and Flemington had started to plateau.

The public housing towers cluster across both estates have recorded 303 COVID-19 cases.

LALOR SECONDARY SCHOOL SHUTS

In a letter to staff and families, Lalor Secondary School confirmed a student at the David St campus was infected and the school would close for at least 48 hours from Monday.

“The school will be closed to all students, staff and members of the community,” principal Corey Jewell said.

“The closure will allow time for the school and DHHS to undertake a full risk assessment. The closure will also allow appropriate cleaning of the school site to occur on the recommendation of DHHS.”

Online learning will resume for VCE students who were previously studying onsite.

Face masks are mandatory in Melbourne as the wild spread of COVID-19 intensifies. Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire

SECOND EPPING COSTCO WORKER TESTS POSITIVE

A second worker has become infected with coronavirus at a Costco warehouse in Melbourne’s north.

A message was sent to employees at the Epping facility confirming the staffer last worked on Sunday, July 19, between 10.45am and 3.45pm.

Costco said it would communicate directly with co-workers known to have been in close contact with the individual.

The first worker at the Epping Costco tested positive for coronavirus on July 11.

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