Victoria to report nearly 400 new COVID-19 cases and harsher coronavirus lockdown

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Victoria to report nearly 400 new COVID-19 cases and harsher coronavirus lockdown

Victoria is tipped to announce nearly 400 new coronavirus cases with harsher lockdowns potentially on the horizon. 

The new figure will be announced later on Saturday after the state recorded 627 new cases the day before.

New modelling shows COVID-19 cases are doubling every 16 days in the state with worrying predictions as many as 1,000 cases could be recorded by mid-August. 

Victoria is tipped to announce nearly 400 new coronavirus cases with harsher lockdowns potentially on the horizon (pictured, a clinical waste removal personnel at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner, Melbourne)

Only on Thursday, Victoria recorded the highest ever daily spike of COVID-19 cases in the country with 723 cases and 13 deaths.

University of NSW’s Kirby Institute mathematical biologist Deborah Cromer admitted to The Australian the virus had not been contained. 

‘I would have to say it is not under control at this point.’ 

Health officials are also weighing up whether stay-at-home orders in place across Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire are doing enough.

Victoria recorded eight deaths and 627 new cases on Friday, and experts are working over the weekend to analyse infection data from the first half of Victoria’s six-week lockdown.

The state’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton confirmed a New Zealand-style lockdown, which saw all businesses except for essential services closed, was being explored.

Muslims marking the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha over coming days have been encouraged to socially distance and wear masks.

‘I just want to encourage everyone to make positive decisions when it comes to how they choose to celebrate their faith over this important time for that community,’ Prime Minister Scott Morrison told 2GB radio.  

Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are about halfway through stage three restrictions which are due to end in mid-August.

‘We cannot open up with these numbers, we cannot open up with significantly less than these numbers,’ Premier Daniel Andrews said on Friday.

His warning came after it was revealed that an alarming number of Victorians with COVID-19 are not staying home, with more than 100 referred to police.  

Australian Defence Force personnel and public health officials visited more than 500 homes of positive cases on Thursday, but one in four were not there.

Mr Andrews said there was no excuse for people who have tested positive not to isolate.

Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said there should be harsher punishments for breaching isolation rules such as monitoring bracelets and higher fines. 

more to come 

New modelling shows COVID-19 cases are doubling every 16 days in the state with worrying predictions as many as 1,000 cases could be recorded by mid-August (pictured, a clinical waste removal personnel at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner, Melbourne)

Source: Daily Mail Australia | News Colony

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