Coronavirus: Victoria’s lockdown extended after 93 new cases recorded

Daniel Andrews says lockdown exit ‘not an option’ after highest spike in cases in a year, with 93 cases detected overnight.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has extended the state’s sixth lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Victoria will remain in lockdown after recording its highest spike in cases in a year, with 93 cases detected overnight.

It was the biggest daily increase since 113 cases were announced on September 3 last year, although 61 were linked to existing outbreaks.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the high number of cases meant opening up this week was not an option.

It could now be weeks before Victorians emerge from lockdown 6.0, making it one of the world’s most shut down pandemic cities.

Mr Andrews said despite having to maintain the lockdown, Victoria was not in the same situation as NSW, where increasing numbers of people were hospitalised.

“We are avoiding that,” he said.

More than 51,000 tests were carried out and 31,436 people were vaccinated.

There are now 778 active cases in the state, although health officials are hopeful that the numbers can be contained.

Mr Andrews was speaking at the Western Bulldogs Football Club, with a spike in cases in Melbourne’s west.

Victoria’s Lockdown 6.0 began on August 5 and was only meant to last a week.

It appears likely that Melbourne will remain in lockdown for weeks.

There is also another case in regional Victoria, this time Traralgon in Victoria’s east.

Mr Andrews has demanded a fair deal for the other states with the next run-out of vaccines.

He spoke to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday and sought an assurance the next batch would be on a per capita basis.

Mr Andrews said he accepted that NSW had needed an emergency allocation, however circumstances were changing.

“The need is just as great here,” he said.

On the issue of pro rate allocations, Mr Andrews said: “The Prime Minister has given me that commitment.”

He said there “has to be a limit” to the disproportionate number of vaccines going to NSW.

Mr Andrews said the majority of the cases were in Melbourne’s west and the north.

Covid commander Jeroen Weimar said there were nine new cases in the Shepparton outbreak, 12 in Broadmeadows in the north and 12 in the Newport cluster in the west.

More to come …