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COVID-19 Update – September 30
Latest News
Victoria recorded 13 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths on Wednesday, as Western Australia scrapped hotel quarantine requirements for Victorians entering the state.
There are 305 active cases inn Victoria with 44 in hospital, six in intensive care and three on a ventilators. The 14-day rolling average of new cases is Melbourne is now 16.4
Yesterday 17,937 test results were finalised. There were no new cases in regional Victoria and just three current active cases.
There are 147 cases in aged care and 46 among health care workers. Testing in aged care facilities will be ramped up, Premier Daniel Andrews said.
There have been several COVID-19 exposures in the past week at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne's south-east, according to the state's Department of Health.
The DHHS has just released high-risk warnings for anyone who spent time at either Coles, The Butcher Club or the Fresh Food Precinct at Chadstone between Wednesday and Saturday last week.
In NSW, there were two new cases, both in hotel quarantine. Despite the Queensland border reopening to some northern NSW areas on Thursday, ADF personnel are finishing up their deployment in the area today.
Younger Australians will be offered new incentives to work on farms picking fruit and vegetables as part of a budget package that aims to boost farm production to $100 billion within a decade and fill a hole left by foreign workers during the pandemic.
Western Australia has called for tighter rules around foreign ships as it deals with a coronavirus cluster on an iron ore bulk carrier off the coast of the Pilbara.
There have been 33.4 million coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally, and the global death rate has passed one million.
COVID-19 Update - September 29
Latest News
Victoria recorded 10 new COVID-19 cases overnight and seven deaths taking the national death toll is at 882. Six of the seven deaths were linked to aged care.
The total number of active COVID-19 cases in Victoria has dropped to 326 from 359 yesterday. The 14-day rolling average number of cases sits at 18.3. But just 6381 tests were returned yesterday.
The US and WHO have announced the roll out of fast COVID-19 tests that can deliver results in 15 minutes.
NSW could enjoy a significant relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in as little as two weeks if Victoria's virus containment continues on its current path, the state’s government announced.
Eight more crew from an iron ore bulk carrier off the coast of Port Hedland have tested positive to COVID-19. There are now 17 cases associated with the ship.
There have now been 33 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. India has become the second country to reach six million case, behind the US which now has seven million cases. The global death toll has passed one million today.
COVID-19 Update – September 28
Latest News
Victoria has recorded just five new COVID-19 cases overnight, the lowest figure since June 12, and three deaths. There were 16 new coronavirus cases recorded in Victoria yesterday, 15 of which were linked to known clusters.
Childcare centres can reopen and the curfew has been scrapped under eased restrictions in Melbourne today. But there are also new mask rules coming into force, with Victorians now required to wear a fitted mask covering the nose and mouth.
The 14-day rolling average number of cases for metropolitan Melbourne has dropped to 20.3 today. There are 49 people in hospital, eight in intensive care and four on a ventilator.
There were no new coronavirus cases recorded elsewhere in the country on Sunday. The last time NSW had a day with no new cases reported was June 10.
There have been 32.9 million coronavirus cases worldwide since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The global death toll has passed 995,000.
Among other changes to restrictions in Melbourne are:
All primary school students will return to the classroom in the second week of term four;
The rule restricting shopping trips to one person per household once a day has been relaxed, allowed more than one person per household to go shopping;
Private inspections can resume for real estate;
Weddings can take place with up to five people;
Apprentices and university students in their final year of study will be able to attend on-site for learning and assessment where necessary;
Changes to workplace rules so that 127,000 people can return to their jobs;
Gatherings of up to five people will also be allowed to meet with their faith leader outdoors;
More medical, health and allied professionals will be allowed to offer face-to-face services for non-urgent care;
Elective surgery will be ramped up to 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels;
Rules around visiting hospitals and care facilities will also be slightly relaxed;
VCE/VCAL and specialist schools return to onsite learning from October 12;
Outside gardening and landscaping returns for sole traders;
Supermarkets and food distribution centres return to full capacity. Abattoirs, seafood and meat processing plants increase capacity to safe levels. Manufacturing returns to 90 per cent capacity. Retail pet grooming resumes;
Outdoor pools reopen and personal trainers can have up to two people.
COVID-19 Update – September 25
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 14 new COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths overnight. The 14-day rolling average of cases is 25.1 for Melbourne and 0.8 for regional Victoria.
There are 58 Victorians in hospital with COVID-19, eight in intensive year and six on a ventilator. The state has 482 actives cases, the first time it has been below 500 form months.
There are 77 cases among health care workers and 247 in aged care.
The state government has said that no Year 12 or VCAL students will be disadvantaged by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed more lockdown restrictions will be eased this weekend, beyond those he previously flagged, after saying the state was winning the battle against the virus.
Queensland has announced no new cases of coronavirus overnight, and with only five active cases in the state announced further easing of restrictions.
NSW residents can now travel to South Australia without needing to self-quarantine after border restrictions were scrapped on Thursday.
The tally of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide has passed 32 million, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global death toll has exceeded 979,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 24
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 12 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths overnight. Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed more lockdown restrictions will be eased this weekend, beyond those he previously flagged.
There are 67 Victorians in hospital, eight in intensive care. Active cases across the state number 532 with 83 among health care workers and 10 in regional Victoria.
Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average number of cases is now 26.7 and it is 1.1 in regional Victoria. 13,337 test results were received yesterday.
A huge international study of a COVID-19 vaccine that aims to work with just one dose has begun. Meanwhile, a rapid test that can diagnose the coronavirus within 15 minutescould offer hope of a COVID-normal future for millions of locked-down Victorians.
The tally of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide has passed 31.7 million. The global death toll has exceeded 973,000 after the US reached 200,000 fatalities this week.
COVID-19 Update – September 23
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 15 new COVID-19 cases today and five more deaths from the virus. Melbourne's 14-day average has dropped to 29.4.
Melbourne’s reopening targets are linked the 14-day average, and the target for the second step of reopening is for it to be between 30 and 50 on September 28, next Monday.
There are 75 Victorians in hospital, eight in intensive care and six on a ventilator. Active cases across the state number 554 with 14 in regional Victoria and 284 in aged care. 15,741 tests results were received yesterday.
The number of coronavirus deaths in the United States has passed 200,000. Worldwide there have been more than 31 million COVID-19 cases and 966,000 deaths, Johns Hopkins University data shows.
COVID-19 Update – September 22
Latest News
Victoria reported 28 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths overnight.
Of the new cases, 22 are linked to known outbreaks and most of these are in aged care.
There are 83 Victorians in hospital with eight in intensive care and five on ventilators. The figures come from 11,123 tests conducted on Sunday.
The state’s 14-day rolling average of daily cases is now 32.8 with 620 active cases across the state, 20 in regional Victoria.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has flagged the possibility of opening her state's southern border after regional Victoria recorded successive days without any new coronavirus cases.
The UK could hit 50,000 COVID-19 cases per day by mid-October experts have warned, as the country sees 6000 new cases in one day.
COVID-19 Update – September 21
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 11 new cases of coronavirus and two deaths, with Premier Daniel Andrews committing to updating the road map out of lockdown sooner than planned.
This comes after 21 and 14 cases respectively on Saturday and Sunday.
There are 92 Victorians in hospital with six in intensive care and three on a ventilator. There are 332 cases in aged care and the city’s rolling 14 day average number of cases is 34.4 and just 1.6 in regional Victoria.
NSW contact tracers are racing to identify anyone who may have been infected by a Sydney a taxi driver who worked for nine days while he was infected with COVID-19
Britain is at a tipping point on COVID-19 with more than 4000 cases emerging each day. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called it a second wave and a second national lockdown could be imposed.
The global tally of COVID-19 cases has passed 30.8 million, while the death toll has exceeded 958,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.
COVID-19 Update – September 18
Latest News
Victoria recorded 45 new COVID-19 cases overnight and five deaths as Melbourne's 14-day average dropped further to 42.7.
The number of unknown cases has dropped to 73. There are 90 Victorians in hospital, 11 in intensive care and seven on ventilators.
There are 920 active case across the state, 140 of them among health care workers and 474 in aged care. 15,910 tests were carried out yesterday.
There were just six new cases in NSW and just one in the community, where it was announced stadiums would be allowed to host half their seated capacity from October – a doubling of the current cap.
Coronavirus federal health measures including subsidised telehealth and free testing have been extended to March 2021.Meanwhile, JobSeeker recipients will need to apply for eight jobs a month under changes to the income support payment.
There have been 30 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Britain has imposed tougher restrictions on people and businesses in parts of north-eastern England as the nation attempts to stem the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Update – September 17
Latest News
Victoria recorded 28 new COVID-19 cases overnight – then lowest in three months - and eight more deaths. Elective surgery in the state will resume today.
The 14 day rolling average for Melbourne is now 44.4 cases and 2.9 cases for regional Victoria. There are now 97 people in hospital with coronavirus, 12 of whom are in ICU. Six of those 12 are on ventilators.
There are 941 active cases in Victoria, with 33 in the regions.
Regional Victorians can leave home for any reason and have a "household bubble" of five visitors from today. NSW has eased restrictions on the Victorian border, increasing the size of its border zone and allowing travel within the zone for any purpose.
Victorian sessional kindergarten will remain free for most families in the fourth term. The state government will provide $26.7 million in additional funding for early childhood services set to reopen on October 5.
There were 10 new cases in NSW yesterday, all from known sources.
The federal government is pushing states to increase international arrivals from 4000 to 6000 a week. But and NSW's premier said she would only increase her cap if Queensland and WA doubled their intake.
There have been more than 29.6 million coronavirus cases worldwide since the start of the pandemic, with India becoming the second country to pass 5 million cases on Wednesday. The global death toll has passed 937,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 16
Latest News
Victoria's 14-day COVID-19 case average has dropped below 50 after the state recorded a second day of 42 new cases overnight. There were eight more deaths.
Victoria’s regional areas will be able to enjoy eased restrictions from tomorrow, but Premier Daniel Andrews has warned Melburnians not to travel to the regions.
He said Melbourne is on track to reach the 30 to 50 daily cases band that would see restrictions lifted.
The number of active cases across the state has dropped below 1000 for the first time in three months with 107 people in hospital, 11 of them in intensive case and six on ventilators. There are 152 cases among health care workers. 14,374 tests were returned yesterday.
Queensland is considering lowering the threshold to reopening the border with NSW by halving the required number of days with no community transmission to 14, according to government and industry sources.
NSW recorded seven new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, just one without a known source. The state's health authorities are growing concerned about low testing numbers ahead of the holidays.
There have now been 29.3 million coronavirus cases worldwide since the start of the pandemic. The global death toll has passed 930,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 15
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 42 new COVID-19 coronavirus cases and no deaths overnight. Premier Daniel Andrews announced the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria this week.
In regional Victoria, the four reasons for leaving home will no longer apply, gathering limits outdoors will rise to 10, most workplaces will reopen and schools will have a staged reopening over the first four weeks of the next term.
Also, household bubbles will allowed up to five people, hospitality and entertainment will reopen with number limits and some retail, including beauty and hairdressing, will reopen and community sport for children will resume as well as non-contact sport for adults. Tourism will resume in regional Victoria but only for regional Victorians. Melburnians are not yet allowed to leave the city without a lawful reason.
The number of active cases in Victoria has fallen to 1,040 with 118 in hospital, 11 intensive care and 7 on a ventilator.
There were four new cases in NSW on Monday, of which just one was in the community. Changes to the NSW’s public order laws means anyone at a gathering of more than 20 people is liable to be fined $1000.
Victorian Parliament will sit this week after a security guard who works in the building tested positive. Parliament will debate new powers to detain people considered a high risk of negligently spreading COVID-19.
Australia's genomic sequencing capability will be upgraded as scientists continue to work through a backlog of cases in Victoria.
There have now been more than 29.1 million coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The global death toll has passed 925,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 14
Latest News
Victoria recorded 35 new cases of COVID-19 overnight – the lowest for 11 weeks - and six additional deaths. Australia’s death toll is now 817. There were 41 new cases in Victoria yesterday.
The 14-day daily case average is now 54.4 in Melbourne and the state's Chief Health Officer is confident it will drop to the threshold needed for the next stage of easing restrictions.
Playgrounds have reopened and single people are now allowed to have a single visitor in their social bubble in the first easing of Melbourne's stage four restrictions today. Meanwhile, the Victorian government has announced a $3 billion rescue package for businesses. It also announced $100 million to support sole traders and another $100 million for CBD-based businesses, partly to facilitate outdoor hospitality.
There are 122 Victorian in hospital with COVID-19, 12 of them in intensive care and seven on a ventilator. Yesterday, 8,937 tests were finalised. The number cases in aged care has dropped to 512.
Victoria has a total of 1,075 active cases, just 47 of them in regional areas.
There were four new cases in NSW, three of them in Quarantine, as clusters linked to an eastern suburbs club and western Sydney school grow.
Queensland Chief Health Officer has received police protection after a backlash to the decision to deny a woman into the state to attender her father's funeral.
There have now been 28.8 million coronavirus cases worldwide, as Europe enters the grip of a second wave. The global death toll has passed 920,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 11
Latest News
Victoria reported 43 new COVID-19 cases overnight and nine more deaths, as the state tries to drive down cases to meet reopening thresholds set out this week.
There are 1,336 active cases in Victoria, 223 among health care workers and 665 in aged care. There are 74 cases in regional Victoria.
The number of tests carried out yesterday was 13,341.
The rolling 14 day average of new daily cases is now 65.3 in Melbourne and 4.7 in regional Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews encouraged people come forward to get the non-COVID health care they need after emergency department presentations dropped 25 per cent over the past few weeks.
NSW is implementing new testing regimes, meting bans and staff diversions to try to control a cluster at Concord Hospital which has now infected 14 people.
There are almost 28 million global cases of coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University data, and almost 19 million people have recovered. There have been more than 900,000 deaths.
COVID-19 Update – September 10
Latest News
Victoria's recorded 51 new cases of COVID-19 overnight – the lowest number since mid-June and seven more deaths.
The total number of deaths in Victoria since the start of the pandemic has grown to 701.
The latest cases come after 63, 41, 55 and 76 cases in the past four days.
There are 1,483 active cases in Victoria with 251 people in hospital, including 17 in intensive care and 11 on a ventilator. Then number of cases in aged care has fallen to 763.
Meanwhile the Victorian Health Department has begun publishing exposure sites where people may have been exposed to COVID-19.
People who visited the locations on the listed dates are advised to monitor symptoms and get tested if they feel any symptoms. See the sites here: More detail, including a list of exposure sites, here.
COVID-19 Update – September 9
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 76 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths overnight, nine linked to aged care.
There are 1,622 active cases across the state, 252 in health care workers and 829 in aged care homes as well as 82 in regional Victoria. All of these numbers are falling.
Victorians in hospital number 196 with 20 in intensive care and 12 on ventilators.
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University have paused the late-stage trial of its COVID-19 vaccine after one case of a suspected serious adverse reaction in a study participant in the UK.
NSW has nine new COVID-19 cases and has issued alerts for cafes, gyms, shopping malls and golf club after they were visited by people infected with COVID-19. Also 100 students from the Kincoppal-Rose Bay boarding school in eastern Sydney are self-isolating after one student tested positive.
Drug companies in the US say they won't seek regulatory approval for vaccines before their safety and efficacy has been established, contradicting President Trump’s call for a COVID-19 vaccine before the US election in November.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the globe has passed 27.4 million, while the death toll has exceeded 894,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.
COVID-19 Update – September 8
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 55 new COVID-19 cases overnight, with the state's daily case figures now firmly in double digits. But eight more Victorians have died.
There are 236 Victorians in hospital, 22 in intensive care and 13 on ventilators. The total number of active cases in Victoria has fallen to 1,696 with 260 among health care workers.
A US tech company will give Victoria's contact tracing system a digital revamp using artificial intelligence. Under a new data management system, automated text messages will alert Victorian health officials, infected people and potentially their close contacts about positive COVID-19 tests.
More than 100 staff from both Liverpool and Concord hospitals in Sydney are in isolation as a COVID-19 cluster grows.
Queensland has detected one new case of COVID-19 in a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.
Spain has become the first country in Western Europe to register 500,000 coronavirus infections, after a second surge in cases that coincided with schools reopening.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the globe has passed 27.2 million, while the death toll has exceeded 890,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 18.1 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – September 7
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 41 new cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths overnight – the first time case numbers have dropped below 50 since June. The number means Victoria’s seven day average of cases has dropped to 76.
There are 266 Victorians in hospital, 25 of them in intensive care and 17 on a ventilator. 12,938 tests were carried out yesterday.
The number of active cases in the state has dropped to 1,781 with 259 among health care workers and 95 in regional Victoria.
Melbourne's stage four lockdown will be extended for two weeks beyond the original end date of September 13, while stage three restrictions will ease slightly in regional Victoria
Melburnians will probably not be allowed to return to anything like normal life until late November after Premier Daniel Andrews outlined a 'slow, steady and safe' path out of restrictions.
At least two Sydney schools are closed today after mystery coronavirus infections in a northern Sydney man and a western Sydney child were among the 10 new cases reported on Sunday. But NSW Health authorities are closing in on the source of the CBD cluster, which has grown to 64 cases.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the globe has topped 26.9 million, while the death toll has passed 880,000, according to the John Hopkins University tally. The US, Brazil and India account for most cases.
COVID-19 Update September 6
Latest News
Melbourne’s COVID-19 lock down has been extended for two more weeks from September 13 until September 27.
But from September 13, restrictions on public gatherings will ease with two people or a household able to meet outdoors for up to two hours
If you live alone or are a single parent with all your children under 18 you will be able to have one nominated visitor to your home.
A five-step pathway out of restrictions has been announced.
From September 28, or when the number daily cases is lower than 30 – 50 over two weeks, prep, grade 1, grade 2 and VCE and VCAL students will be able to return to school. Also, child care will return and some industries will reopen.
After October 26, or when the daily two-week average is fewer than five new cases, the curfew will no longer apply and there will be no restrictions on leaving home. Also, public gatherings outside will increase to ten and five visitors from a nominated home will be permitted. All schoolchildren will begin a phased return.
Retail and hairdressing businesses will reopen, hospitality will resume outdoor dining and non-contact outdoor sport will return.
Regional Victoria will move a further step ahead of metropolitan Melbourne and loosen restrictions more quickly.
Victoria has reported 63 COVID-19 cases overnight and five deaths - down from 76 new cases and 11 deaths yesterday. 63 is the lowest number of new cases since late June.
COVID-19 Update – September 4
Victoria has recorded 81 new COVID-19 cases overnight. The state's death toll increased by 59, including 50 aged care deaths which occurred in July and August, pushing the national toll to 737.
Eight of the nine deaths in Victoria over the last 24 hours were linked to aged care.
Of the nine deaths reported over the last 24 hours, Premier Daniel Andrews said there were two males and one female in their 70s, one male in their 80s, two males and two females in their 90s, and one female in her 100s.
The Victorian Government announced residential rent relief of up to $3000 per household with an eligibility threshold which renters with less than $10,000 is savings. Rental landlords will also be able to claim land tax relief if their offer lower rents to tenants.
National cabinet is meeting today, with border closures, a nationally agreed upon definition of a hotspot, and an agricultural code which will see seasonal workers able to travel across state lines all on the agenda.
Attendees at a Sydney gym have been told to self-isolate as NSW recorded nine new community cases on Thursday. After aged care visits in the Sydney area were restricted, an announcement easing the rules before Father's Day is expected to be announced today.
Queensland has announced a border bubble including the Moree region in northern NSW. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would want 28 days of no community transmission before reopening her border to the rest of the state.
There have now been 26.1 million coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The global death toll has passed 864,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 3
Latest News
Victoria recorded 113 new COVID-19 cases overnight and 15 more deaths – a rise after three days of cases in double figures.
A draft blueprint shows how Melbourne’s stage four lockdown could be extended for two weeks, although the state government says the leaked document is out of date.
There were 35 new cases among health care workers and the state’s death toll stands at 591.
Health authorities in NSW say it is possible a lack of COVID-safe compliance at a Sydney gym could result in more cases. The state recorded XX new cases overnight.
NSW recorded 17 new cases on Wednesday, including six more linked to a western Sydney high school.
Two more cases were recorded in Queensland, both linked to the outbreak in Brisbane’s youth detention centre.
ABS data released on Thursday showed Australia has entered a recession making more likely the federal government will consider bringing forward $158 billion in personal income tax cuts in next month's budget.
There have been 25.8 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The global death toll has passed 858,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 2
Latest News
Victoria recorded 90 new COVID-19 cases overnight and six deaths, after recording figures in the 70s the past two days and with concerns about low testing rates.
There are 2,415 active cases in Victoria, 332 among health care workers and 1,177 in aged care t 97 homes.
In the early hours of today, the state's Parliament voted to extend the emergency powers for six months.
There were 13 new cases in NSW overnight with health alerts issued for a number of venues and public transport routes. Restrictions on the NSW-Victoria border will be relaxed on Friday.
Figures to be announced today will reveal Australia is in recession. The Reserve Bank kept interest rates on hold and extended its term funding facility that enables banks to access low-interest funds that can then flow to small and medium-sized businesses on Tuesday.
This year's AFL grand final will be held at the Gabba in Brisbane, the first time the game has been hosted outside of Melbourne.
There have been 25.5 million coronavirus cases worldwide, after Russia became the fourth country to pass the million mark. The global death toll has passed 850,000.
COVID-19 Update – September 1
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 70 new COVID-19 cases overnight – the lowest total since July 3 - and five more deaths after recording 73 cases yesterday.
There are now 2,519 active cases in Victoria, including 352 among health workers and 1,197 in aged care.
Cases in regional Victoria have fallen to 139.
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced he will reveal a roadmap out of the state's restrictions on Sunday and the state of emergency issue will be debated in Parliament today.
NSW recorded 13 new COVID-19 cases with the state government resisting calls to make face masks compulsory on public transport. Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a border bubble to be extended 50km into Victoria.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says a Victorian man with coronavirus was intercepted at Brisbane airport attempting to enter the state. Queensland recorded two new cases overnight; a nurse working in a virus ward and a second student at a high school near Brisbane.
Australia’s economy is set to shrink to 2016 levels, with tomorrow's June quarter results due to confirm the nation's first recession since the 1990s. Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed sales of accommodation and food services alone dropped by 39.1 per cent, while those in arts and recreation tumbled by 37.1 per cent.
There have been 25.3 million cases of coronavirus worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally, with India emerging as the new virus epicentre. Meanwhile, the global death toll has passed 847,000.
COVID-19 Update – August 31
Latest News
Victoria recorded 74 new COVID-19 cases overnight and 41 deaths. This comes after numbers dropped to 94 on Saturday – the first time cases were in double figures for eight weeks
The number of active cases have dropped below 3,000 for the first time in weeks to 2,620 with just three new cases of unknown origin.
There are 378 active cases among health care workers and 1,225 in aged care homes.
14,435 tests were carried out taking the total to 2.24 million since January 1.
Premier Danial Andrews said a ‘road map’ to reopening Victoria’s economy would be announced on Sunday, September 6. But he said wearing face masks, COVID safe plans in workplaces and limits on numbers at gatherings would remain in place.
Three people were arrested at a Melbourne anti-lockdown protest on Sunday as the city enters its fifth week of stage four restrictions.
NSW recorded ten new cases overnight – four linked to the city’s CBD cluster - as health alerts were issued for a number of suburban venues due to links with CBD cluster. Evidence of transmission between two bus passengers has put pressure on the state's government to mandate face masks on public transport.
New restrictions have started in areas of Queensland this morning, amid a cluster in the state's south-east. There was just one new case linked to the cluster on Monday.
ABS data to be released today will show the pandemic recession is disproportionately hurting Sydney and Melbourne.
Global coronavirus cases have passed 25 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The global death toll has passed 844,000, of which 182,000 are in the US.
COVID-19 Update – August 28
Latest News
Victoria recorded 113 new COVID-19 cases overnight and 12 more deaths.
Yesterday, 19,863 tests were carried out in Victoria, mostly focused on areas with high numbers of cases.
There are 449 cases among health care workers, 45 in disability facilities and 1,362 in aged care homes.
There are 513 Victorians in hospital with 29 in intensive care.
Meanwhile, Professor Michael McCarthy from the University of Melbourne has said Victoria could record fewer than 100 daily COVID-19 cases in coming days.
He said he hopes that Victoria will be "well and truly" recording fewer than 50 cases a day by the end of stage four lockdown on September 13.
NSW recorded 13 cases overnight. Six were linked to Sydney’s CBD cluster and four cases are of unknown origin. Two Sydney schools have been closed and staff and students isolated.
Queensland reported three new cases overnight with all connected to Brisbane’s youth detention centre.
Meanwhile, University of Queensland researchers are looking for older people to join their expanded vaccine trial.
New Zealand has reported 12 new coronavirus cases, with five in the community and seven in returned travellers.
COVID-19 Update – August 27
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 113 new COVID-19 cases overnight and 23 deaths, 22 of them linked to aged care.
There are 532 Victorian in hospital, 29 of them in intensive care and 11 on ventilators.
Active cases continue to fall across the state with the current number at 3,308. Cases among health care workers number 391 and active cases in aged care number 1,412. An outbreak at Frankston Hospital has seen 600 staff go into isolation.
Premier Daniel Andrews says the average time it takes to receive COVID-19 test results in Victoria is now less than a day.
NSW Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor has directly intervened to have quarantined travellers moved from the Travelodge in Surry Hills after a desperate plea from a young woman inside the hotel.
Six new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the state yesterday, one of them a trainee bus driver.
Queensland recorded one new coronavirus case overnight linked to the youth detention centre cluster after 20,000 people were tested. The Palaszczuk government has launched a criminal investigation into a Melbourne businessman and his family over the movements of the yacht Lady Pamela.
Spain has reported 3,594 new coronavirus infections in 24 hours as it struggles to contain a second wave of infections that hit a peak of 8000 cases last Friday.
COVID-19 Update – August 26
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 149 new COVID-19 cases overnight and 24 deaths, 21 of them in aged care.
The deaths include: a woman in her 60s, three men in their 70s, three women and seven men in their 80s, and six women and four men in their 90s.
The total number of deaths in the state has increased to 462.
More than 50 cases have been categorised as cases of community transmission with no known source.
There are now 578 Victorians in hospital with COVID-19, 39 fewer than yesterday, and 39 in intensive care, four more than yesterday.
About 13,000 tests were returned over the past 24 hours and the number of active cases among healthcare workers decreased to 434.
Meanwhile, three Sydney schools have closed as Australia’s death toll jumped to 549.
The average time it takes to get COVID-19 test results back is now less than a day, Premier Daniel Andrews said.
A team from Monash University and the Doherty Institute have announced they are about to go into human trials for a COVID-19 antibody treatment.
COVID-10 Update - August 25
Latest News
Victoria recorded 148 new cases of COVID-19 overnight and eight more deaths. The seven-day average for new cases has dropped below 200 for the first time in more than a month.
New South Wales has recorded three new cases. Two were in hotel quarantine and one in the community.
A security guard at Sydney's Marriott Hotel infected with COVID-19 has been fined $2000 for failing to self-isolate while he waited for his test results.
Researchers in Hong Kong claim to have confirmed the world's first case of coronavirus reinfection.
Premier Daniel Andrews is seeking to convince Parliament to allow him to extend Victoria’s state of emergency for another 12 months.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the globe has topped 23.5 million, while the death toll has passed 810,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 15.1 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – August 24
Latest News
Victoria recorded 116 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, the lowest since July 5, and 15 deaths.
But new case numbers are unlikely to reach single digits by the end of Melbourne's tough stage four restrictions.
There are currently 3,771 active cases in Victoria, 476 among health care workers and 1,568 in aged care.
Yesterday, 14,811 COVID-19 tests were carried out. There are 629 Victorians in hospital, 31 of them in intensive care and 17 on ventilators.
Premier Daniel Andrews flagged extending the state of emergency for another 12 months.
Australia passed a grim milestone over the weekend with the country's death toll passing 500. There have been 430 deaths in Victoria.
New South Wales has recorded three new cases, two in hotel quarantine and one in the community, with officials closely watching case numbers after a quarantine security guard tested positive. Tangara School for Girls has reopened today despite a coronavirus cluster linked to the school growing over the weekend.
Queensland has recorded one new COVID-19 case as officials race to contain an outbreak linked to a youth detention centre that has sparked health alerts for more than 55 locations across the state's south-east corner. Nine cases of community transmission are now linked to the worrying cluster.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the globe has topped 23.2 million, while the death toll has passed 806,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 14.9 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – August 21
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Victoria has recorded just 179 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, the first time the total has fallen below 200 since July 13, when 177 cases were recorded.
There were nine more deaths, bringing the state toll to 385. Health authorities say it's still too soon to call an end to restrictions or even predict when they may be loosened.
Three quarters of the Victorian postcodes where there were one or more active COVID-19 cases last week have now recorded a drop in current infection numbers.
There are 626 Victorian in hospital, 40 of them in intensive care and 25 on ventilators. More than 20,300 tests were carried out overnight, taking the total to almost 2.5 million.
Infected health care workers number 668 and aged care cases are at 1,732 with the total number of active cases at 4,421.
Border closures will be the hot topic at today's national cabinet meeting. From today, only Victorians who are essential travellers are allowed to enter South Australia. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro is pushing for relaxed restrictions on the Victorian border.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the globe has topped 22.5 million, while the death toll has passed 789,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 14.3 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – August 20
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Victoria has recorded 240 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths overnight. It marks the fifth consecutive day of numbers below 300 but is an increase on the 216 additional cases and 12 deaths reported yesterday.
Today saw 2,291 fewer active cases with currently 4,864 total cases in Victoria. There were 1,811 cases in aged care and 753 among health professionals.
20,279 tests were performed yesterday, taking the total to 2.028 million.
Melburnians are now 18 days into their six-week, stage four lockdown.
The state government has also extended the freeze on residential and commercial evictions and rent rises until the end of the year.
Five new cases were recorded in NSW yesterday, with two of them under investigation. Meanwhile, a Japanese traveller who tested positive for COVID-19 in her home country sparked a public health alert for a Brisbane café and a Virgin Australia flight she took to Sydney.
In Queensland, a worker in a youth detention centre in Brisbane has tested positive to COVID-19.
The Prime Minister has clarified that a COVID-19 vaccine would not be compulsory after announcing he had signed a statement of intent to acquire a vaccine being developed by Oxford University should trials prove successful.
Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce called for the opening of border s between states with no COVID-19 cases as he announced $1.9 billion in losses.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the globe has topped 22.2 million, while the death toll has passed 783,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 14.1 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – August 19
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Victoria has recorded 216 new COVID-19 cases overnight, its lowest case total in more than a month. The inquiry into the state's hotel quarantine has heard a family of four at the Rydges hotel seeded 90 per cent of Victoria’s second wave cases.
Just seven new cases were recorded in NSW yesterday but health authorities are on high alert after a security guard who worked at a Sydney quarantine hotel tested positive.
Every Australian will receive a free dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with the federal government confirming an agreement with British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca if trials prove successful.
There have been 21.9 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The global death toll has passed 776,000.
COVID-19 Update – August 18
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Victoria has recorded 222 new COVID-19 cases overnight – the lowest number in a month - and 17 deaths, 13 linked to aged care.
There are now 665 Victoria I hospital, 45 of them in intensive care and 32 of those on a ventilator.
Active cases in the state number 7,274 with 1,336 among health care workers and 2,024 in aged care. Regional cases are down by 90.
The families of residents in a Melbourne aged care facility with more than 200 infections have commenced legal action.
The Victorian inquiry into hotel quarantine has heard almost all of Victoria’s second wave of COVID-19 cases can be traced to travellers quarantined at two Melbourne hotels: the Rydges on Swanston and Stamford Plaza.
NSW recorded just three new cases on Tuesday, as locations including Flemington Market and a number of inner west venues have been added to NSW’s list of alert areas. Meanwhile, Sydney bus drivers are threatening to strike over social distancing breaches.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has asked for states to be lenient with their border restrictions as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is unlike to allow Victorians into Queensland before Christmas and South Australia prepares to instate its tightest ever restrictions on Friday.
There have been more than 21.7 million coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The global death toll has passed 776,000.
COVID-19 Update – August 17
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Victoria reported 282 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, after seeing 279 new cases on Sunday. Twenty-five more Victorians died from the virus, the highest number to date in a single day.
Twenty-two of the deaths were linked to aged care.
There are 657 Victorians in hospital with COVID-19, 44 of them in intensive care and 32 on ventilators. 15,728 tests were carried out yesterday.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian apologised publicly for mistakes made in relation to infections spreading from the Ruby Princess cruise ship after the findings of an inquiry were released on Friday.
NSW recorded seven new cases yesterday. Sydney Girls High School has joined a list of NSW girls schools closed today after a student tested positive to the virus, affecting the timing of their HSC trial exams.
New Zealand has postponed its upcoming election in light of a growing number of coronavirus cases.
There have been more than 21.5 million coronavirus cases recorded worldwide since the start of the pandemic. The global death toll has passed 770,000.
COVID-19 Update – August 14
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Victoria recorded 14 deaths and 372 new cases overnight which was a rise on yesterday’s tally of 278 new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths.
Twelve of the deaths yesterday were linked to aged care and there have now been 289 in total in Victoria.
There are now 7,842 active cases across Victoria, 2,034 of them in aged care and 1,188 among health care workers.
There are 659 Victorian in hospital, 41 of them in intensive care and 26 on ventilators.
There were 51 new cases of unknown origin yesterday taking the total to 3,119.
Regional Victoria now has 492 cases, most in Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat.
Meanwhile, the findings from the Ruby Princess inquiry are expected to be handed down today.
The NSW Government is using CCTV to monitor how many people are wearing masks at the busiest five train stations in Sydney, if people aren't wearing masks, harsher restrictions could be imposed.
The planet had seen over 20 million people get infected with the virus while the death toll has almost reached 750,000 people.
New Zealand has 36 active cases, 13 of which are linked to the new community outbreak. PM Jacinda Ardern has put Auckland back into lockdown and may delay the September election.
COVID-19 Update - August 13
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Victoria has recorded 278 cases of COVID-19 overnight and eight deaths, down from the record-breaking daily toll of 725 cases last week.
There are 664 Victorians in hospital, 37 of them in intensive care. There are 2,018 COVID-19 cases in 125 aged care facilities; and 1,140 health care workers with active cases.
The Ruby Princess inquiry into the ill-fated cruise ship that spawned more than 900 cases will hand down its findings on Friday.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned of harsher restrictions if more people don’t wear face masks and businesses heed COVID-safe rules. The message came as a women in her 80s in NSW died from COVID-19 and eight hotels have been fined for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
There were 12 new cases in NSW overnight.
New Zealand officials are investigating the possibility that its first COVID-19 cases in more than three months were infected by imported freight, as the city of Auckland was sent back into lockdown yesterday.
New Zealand has 36 active cases, 17 of which are linked to the new community outbreak.
COVID-19 Update – August 12
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Victoria has recorded 21 deaths, in what is highest daily death so far in the COVID-19 pandemic, and 410 new cases. Sixteen of the deaths were linked to aged care.
The new figures came out as experts say the COVID-19 count would have to drop to fewer than 20 cases a day before could be safe to start easing restrictions, but this milestone may not be too far away.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there were 7,877 active cases across Victoria with 662 people in hospital, 43 of them in intensive care.
Health workers with active cases number 1,077 and there are 1,929 active cases in aged care.
A study and prayer retreat is believed to be the catalyst for a rising COVID-19 cluster linked to the Tangara School for Girls in Sydney. NSW recorded 22 new cases on Tuesday, including eight linked to the school.
New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, is back in stage three lockdown for at least three days, after four mystery COVID-19 cases emerged yesterday.
Russia has become the first country to approve a vaccine to be used on tens of thousands of citizens, despite international doubts about the injections that have not completed clinical trials.
The global tally of confirmed coronavirus cases has risen above 20.1 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of deaths across the world has increased to more than 738,000.
COVID-19 Update – August 11
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Victoria recorded another 19 COVID-19 deaths yesterday and 331 new cases. The figures indicate a stabilising of case numbers in Victoria after weeks of escalation, experts say.
But Victorians have been warned to brace for more deaths.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton are among the first witnesses appearing before a public accounts and estimates committee today, where they will be quizzed over the government's coronavirus response.
NSW contact tracers are bracing for a COVID-19 cluster at the Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook to grow as Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged non-government schools and other organisations to stick to COVID-safe protocols. The state recorded 14 new cases yesterday.
Nearly 20 million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 732,000 deaths, according to the tally by Johns Hopkins University. More than 12.1 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – August 10
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There were 19 more deaths from COVID-19 in Victoria overnight, the most yet in a single day with 14 of the deaths linked to aged care. But just 322 new cases were recorded, the lowest in 12 days.
105 of the new cases are under investigation. There are 640 people currently in hospital with the virus, including 47 people who are fighting for their lives in intensive care, with 31 of those people on ventilators.
The Victorian Government announced a home testing scheme with people able to be tested at home by calling the government’s coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398.
Two NSW schools are closed today after students were among the state’s 14 new cases.
Hundreds of people caught partying on a far-north Queensland beach could face charges after allegedly breaching coronavirus restrictions early on Saturday. Up to 300 people held a party complete with a stage and DJ.
Meanwhile, Melbourne immunologist Professor Peter Doherty said he believes there’s an 80 per cent chance we will have a vaccine in 12 months.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in the US hit 5 million on Sunday but health officials believe the actual number is perhaps 10 times higher, or closer to 50 million, given testing limitations.
As a growing number of US states grapple with a rise in coronavirus cases, 69 per cent of Americans say their greater concern is that state governments have been lifting restrictions on public activity too quickly, according to the Pew Research Centre. Just 30 per cent say their bigger concern is that states have been too slow to lift the restrictions.
Also, 62 per cent of Americans say the US response to the coronavirus outbreak has been less effective when compared with other wealthy countries.
More than 19.7 million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 728,000 deaths, according to the tally by Johns Hopkins University. Nearly 12 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – August 7
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Victoria recorded 450 new COVID-19 cases overnight, lower than the daily average of 499 over the past week. There were 11 deaths, seven linked to aged care.
There are 607 Victorians in hospital, 41 of them in intensive care. Active cases among health care workers number 911 and 7,737 active cases – 1,548 in aged care.
There were just 66 cases of unknown transmission, lower than in recent days.
More than 25,000 tests were carried out yesterday.
Education Minister James Merlino announced that VCS students will be assessed individually for the impact COVID has had on them as well as extra mental health funding for schools.
NSW recorded 11 new cases yesterday. Some 109 people are being treated for COVID-19 by NSW Health, including ten people in intensive care units.
A third person in a Newcastle family has tested positive, as two schools are closed for cleaning and thousands in the city are sent into self-isolation.
Queensland again recorded no new cases.
National cabinet will meet today to discuss the communication of case data and a transport safety code for freight drivers
Employers will gain easier access to the JobKeeper wage subsidy from the end of September in a $15 billion initiative to deal with the economic damage from the Victorian stage four lockdown.
COVID-19 Update – August 6
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Victoria recorded 471 new cases of COVID-19 overnight with eight more deaths, taking the total to 170.
Twenty-five thousand tests were carried out yesterday and there are currently 7,449 active cases, 1,533 of them linked to aged care.
Melbourne's stage four lockdown has taken full effect this morning, with non-essential retail shops closed and permits required to travel to work and access child care.
Twelve new cases have been confirmed in NSW, two of them in Hunter region - forcing the closure of a school, the isolation of two soccer teams and health alerts for several venues, including a Newcastle Jets A-League game. From Friday, people arriving in NSW from Victoria will need to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine.
Queensland has declared its borders closed to all NSW and ACT residents from Saturday, as teams race to prepare new border passes. The state recorded no new cases today, but the source of a case recorded yesterday is still unknown.
The federal government has announced another $12 million for mental health services.
The CSIRO has opened Australia's first accredited surgical face mask testing facility in Melbourne today. Previously, medical-grade masks had to be sent overseas to be accredited.
COVID-19 Update – August 5
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Victoria recorded 725 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, the highest number yet for a single day; and there were 15 more deaths, including a man in his 30s, taking the total to 162.
More than 160 of the new cases were linked to known outbreaks and 561 are under investigation. There are now 7,227 active cases in Victoria.
Non-essential retail shops will close at 11.59pm tonight as part of the Melbourne’s stage four lockdown. And today is the first day of a return to remote learning in Victoria.
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has announced targeted support for the Victorian childcare sector, aiming to keep services open and available for parents. Parents will have an extra 30 days of allowable absences for their enrolled children.
NSW has recorded 12 new cases today, including one locally acquired case with no known source. A preschool in Sydney's south-west has closed today after a child tested positive.
Queensland will enact a hard border closure with NSW and the ACT from Saturday, with returning Queenslanders required to pay for hotel quarantine.
The state has also ended the national exemption to COVID-19 rules for returning consular or diplomatic staff, after a private security worker claimed it in circumstances under investigation and subsequently tested positive.
The global coronavirus case count has passed 18.4 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. The global death toll is expected to pass 700,000 soon: it is currently at more than 696,000.
COVID-19 Update – August 4
Latest News
Victoria recorded 439 new cases of COVID-19 cases overnight and 11 more deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 147.
There are currently 456 people in hospital, 38 of them in intensive care.
More than 21,000 tests were carried out yesterday and there are currently 1,186 active cases in aged care.
An extra 500 defence personnel will be brought to Victoria to ramp up the door knocking of people who are supposed to be in isolation. Premier Daniel Andrews said a new on the spot fine of $5,000 would apply to people breaching isolation orders.
He said 3000 door knocks carried out recently resulted in the discovery of 800 people not in isolation.
Almost all Melbourne retail stores, with the exception of essential stores such as supermarkets and pharmacies, will be closed for person-to-person trade from midnight on Wednesday under Victoria’s stage four restrictions.
Premier Andrews urged against panic buying when he announced the finer details of the city's six-week COVID-19 lockdown on Monday.
Meanwhile, the federal government will provide a $1500 payment to Victorians forced to self-isolate without sick leave.
NSW recorded 12 new cases overnight. Two western Sydney schools have closed today after students tested positive.
Community transmission of COVID-19 has driven the possibility of a trans-Tasman travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia well into the distance, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said.
There have been more than 18 million coronavirus cases recorded since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 690,000 people have died.
COVID-19 Update – August 3
Latest News
The Victorian Government has announced new restrictions on businesses as part of tougher measures to drive down cases of COVID-19.
Business that will remain open include supermarkets, grocers, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagents, post offices as well as organisations working on the front line of the COVID-19 response.
From midnight on Wednesday, retail, some manufacturing and some administration will close. There will, however, be some drive-through or home delivery arrangements for businesses such as Bunnings.
From midnight on Friday industries such as meat works and construction will need to reduce workforces.
Meat works will operate at two-thirds capacity and workers will be required to wear medical standard protective equipment. They will also be temperature checked and tested.
Construction sites will also be wound back. Major government infrastructure projects have had their workforces halved.
Large commercial buildings will have to reduce their workforces to no more than 25 per cent and domestic homes under construction will have a limit of five people on site at any one time.
All workplaces will need to have COVID safe plans.
There were 429 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Victoria yesterday and 13 more deaths, eight linked to aged care, taking the total number of fatalities to 136.
Twenty five thousand tests were carried out yesterday.
Victorians spent their first night under new restrictions, in response to the state's second wave. For six weeks, Melbourne will be under an 8pm curfew as part of stage four restrictions announced by Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday. Regional Victoria has moved to stage three restrictions.
A state of disaster has been declared after Victoria recorded 671 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, as it was revealed 760 active cases in the state do not have a known source. There were seven additional deaths, including six in aged care on Sunday.
Masks are now recommended in supermarkets, on public transport and at churches in NSW after the state recorded 12 new cases yesterday. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said the next few weeks of NSW's coronavirus response is "make or break".
Other states are also on high alert, after recording additional cases over the weekend. South Australia recorded two new cases yesterday, including a teenager who had recently returned from Victoria, prompting a school closure.
There have been more than 17.8 million coronavirus cases recorded worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally, more than 4.6 million in the US. South Africa has now recorded 500,000 cases, accounting for more than 50 per cent of Africa's recorded total.
COVID-19 Update – July 31, 2020
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There were 627 new cases of COVOD-19 recorded in Victoria yesterday, down from 723 yesterday. There were eight more deaths, four of them linked ton aged care.
Yesterday saw 33,826 tests carried out and currently 349 people are in hospital with 37 in intensive care.
There are 928 active cases in aged care and 1,030 among health care workers.
Premier Daniel Andrews said that the homes of 500 isolated cases had been door knocked yesterday with one in four people not adhering to isolation measures. More than 100 of these people have been referred to Victoria Police.
NSW recorded 19 new cases on Thursday and also closed several schools due to COVID-19 positive tests.
There are health alerts for 11 sites in Brisbane after two women who travelled to Queensland from Melbourne via Sydney did not adhere to self-isolation directions and tested positive. A close contact has already tested positive.
The US death toll has passed 151,000 people while the world has recorded over 17.1 million cases and 669,000 deaths so far.
COVID-19 Update – July 30, 2020
Latest News
There were 13 more deaths in Victoria overnight from COVID-19 and 723 more cases recorded.
All of the deaths and most of the new cases were linked to aged care. There are now 9,998 cumulative cases in Victoria, more than 4,500 of them in Metropolitan Melbourne and 255 in regional Victoria. There have now been 105 deaths in Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced extra restrictions in Geelong and surrounding districts.
He said that 30 teams of ADF and health service personnel had been door knocking the homes of people with COVID symptoms or who have tested positive and that some of those people were not home.
The Premier said too many people who had symptoms or were waiting for tests results were not isolating.
More than 19,900 tests were carried out yesterday bringing the total to 1.574 million.
COVID-19 – Update, July 29, 2020
Latest News
Victoria recorded 294 new cases of COVID-19 overnight – down from 384 yesterday and 532 on Monday.
There were nine more death, seven in private aged care. There are 317 Victorians in hospital, 41 of them in intensive care. There were 18,077 tests carried out yesterday.
There are currently 804 cases in aged care, 502 among health workers and a total of 4, 839 active cases across the state – 195 of them in regional Victoria.
NSW has recorded 19 new cases and Queensland two, both of them travellers returned from Victoria. The Queensland Government has also deemed Greater Sydney a COVID-19 hotspot and has restricted travel for people from Sydney.
There have been more than 16.5 million cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.
COVID-19 Update – July 28, 2020
Latest News
There were 384 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Victoria yesterday and six more deaths, Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed.
There are 260 people in hospital and 45 in intensive care. Victoria has now recorded 83 deaths.
There are 4,775 active cases, more than 400 of them health workers and 769 linked to aged care.
18,521 tests were performed yesterday.
Premier Andrews said that all but the most urgent elective surgeries would be cancelled to free up beds and health workers to accommodate residents being transferred from private aged care facilities.
He also announced that registered nurses from the public health system would be deployed to aged care homes to provide care for residents.
The world has surpassed 16.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 650,000 people have died, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. But more than 9.4 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – July 27, 2020
Latest News
There were six more deaths in Victoria from COVID-19 yesterday and 532 new cases, according to Premier Daniel Andrews.
Five of the six deaths were linked to aged care facilities. There are now 680 cases connected to aged care and 400 among health care workers.
There are 245 Victorians in hospital, 44 of them in intensive care.
There have now been 8,696 cases of COVID-19 in Victoria with more than 4000 of them active.
More than 17,000 tests were carried out yesterday, bringing the state’s total to 1.5 million
Yesterday, there were 459 new cases and ten deaths in Victoria, the worst day in the pandemic so far.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the Covid Co-ordination Commission headed by Nev Power will be reshaped as an advisory board to guide economic recovery. He also confirmed an emergency response centre for aged care was established over the weekend.
The world has surpassed 16 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 646,000 people have died. The United States accounts for about one-quarter of the reported infections and one-fifth of the death toll.
COVID-19 Update – July 24, 2020
Latest News
Six people have died from COVID-19 in Victoria overnight as 300 more cases were detected.
The deaths, three people in their 90s and three in their 80s, were all from aged care settings, Premier Daniel Andrews said.
There have now been 7,405 cases in Victoria with 206 people currently in hospital, 41 of them in intensive care.
Fifty-one of the new cases were from known outbreaks and 249 were under investigation. There were 24, 118 tests performed yesterday.
Premier Andrews announced 28 new teams of Australian Defence Force and Department of Health personnel who will doorknock people who have tested positive but who have not been able to be contacted within 24 hours.
Melbourne hospitals have begun to draw on an army of reserve doctors and nurses as Victoria's second wave of coronavirus forces hundreds of healthcare professionals into isolation.
The total number of coronavirus cases reported in the US has passed 4 million, with 2600 cases reported each hour. President Donald Trump has now cancelled plans to hold the Republican National Convention in the COVID-19 hotspot of Jacksonville, Florida.
There have been more than 15 million cases of coronavirus across the world, according to the Johns Hopkins University Tally, and more than 626,000 deaths.
COVID-19 Update – July 23, 2020
Latest News
Five more Victorians, including a man in his 50s, have died in the past 24 hours and the state has recorded 403 new coronavirus cases.
Three aged care residents - a woman in her 70s, a man in his 80s and a man in his 90s - are among those who died overnight.
Two men, aged in their 50s and 70s, also died from the virus, taking the state’s death toll to 49.
Of the state's total number, 69 cases are linked to known outbreaks and 334 are being investigated.
More than 27,000 tests were conducted on Wednesday.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced that Victorian workers without sick leave will be entitled to a $300 government payment to allow them to stay home after getting tested for COVID-19 without being financially worse off.a special payment of $300 for people who develop COVID-19 symptoms
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has revealed the budget will be in the red by $85.8 billion in 2019-20 and $184.5 billion in 2020-21, marking the biggest deficit since World War II due to drastic spending to mitigate the damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
At a special budget update on Thursday, the first since December, Mr Frydenberg said the unemployment rate was expected to reach 9.25 per cent in the December quarter, while GDP would contract by 0.25 per cent in 2019-20 and shrink 2.5 per cent in 2020-21.
The economic downturn has cost the budget $32.4 billion in 2019-20 and $72.2 billion in 2020-21. Tax receipts are down $31.7 billion in 2019-20 and $63.9 billion in 2020-21.
COVID-19 Update – July 22, 2020
Latest News
Two more aged care residents in Victoria have died of COVID-19 overnight, as the state recorded its highest number of new cases since the start of the pandemic, 484.
Two men, aged in their 90s, both died in the last day, Premier Daniel Andrews said. The state's death toll is now 44.
Mr Andrews revealed that among the reasons for the rise in numbers, was that 90 per cent Victorians who were tested for COVID-19 were not following rules around isolating as soon as they felt symptoms and until they received test results.
Mr Andrews said of 3810 people between July 7 and 21, about 90 per cent did not isolate between the first onset of symptoms and getting tested.
About 50 per cent did not isolate in the period between getting tested and receiving a result.
He said he was "very unhappy and very sad" to report the findings and said, unless behaviour changed, "we will not see these numbers come down".
COVID-19 Update – July 21, 2020
Latest News
Victoria recorded 374 new COVID-19 cases overnight, up from 275 yesterday.
Sixty-two cases were linked to known and contained cases and 312 are under investigation bringing the total number of active cases to 3,078.
There were three deaths overnight, three women all aged over 80, bring to the total number of fatalities in Victoria to 42.
There are 174 people in hospital with 36 in intensive care. 29,464 tests were carried out bringing the total number to 1,361,238 since January 1.
NSW has recorded 13 new cases today, 12 of which were locally acquired. All cases have a known source.
Millions of workers will keep receiving the JobKeeper wage subsidy until the end of March. However, there will be changes to eligibility and thresholds. There will also be changes to the JobSeeker eligibility and job search requirements.
Tests of a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford have had promising results, with a first round of trial showing it is safe and induces the strong immune response needed to fend off infection.
There have been 14.6 million cases of coronavirus across the world, according to the Johns Hopkins University Tally, and more than 608,000 deaths.
COVID-19 Update – July 20, 2020
Latest News
There were 275 new COVID-19 cases in Victoria recorded overnight, down from 363 yesterday.
A women in her eighties became the state’s 39th fatality with 147 people in hospital and 31 in intensive care.
Twenty-eight of the new cases were from known and contained outbreaks and 247 are under investigation. More than 26,500 tests were performed yesterday.
Government schools across the state will begin remote and flexible learning today. School have been provided with infrared thermometers and single use face masks.
Two Geelong primary schools and Princes Hill Secondary College announced closures today due to confirmed cases.
NSW has recorded 20 new COVID-19 cases today. Sutherland Local Court has closed after a confirmed case attended last week, and attendees at a number of new venues including two Paddington restaurants and Westfield Mount Druitt have been asked to monitor for symptoms.
Restrictions on the NSW-Victoria border will be tightened from Tuesday, with Victorians only allowed to cross for work, education and healthcare and the categories of people required to self-isolate upon crossing expanded.
Small employers will be given greater access to a $40 billion loan scheme to help them through the recession as part of the federal government's JobKeeper overhaul to be announced on Thursday.
There have been more than 14.3 million COVID-19 cases recorded across the world, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 600,000 people have died. Cases have continued to climb in the US.
COVID-19 Update – July 17, 2020
Latest News
Victoria has recorded 428 new COVID-19 cases overnight and there were three more deaths.
It was the 12th day in a row of triple-digit increases. There are 122 people in hospital with 31 in intensive care. There were 24,409 tests performed yesterday
A total of 13 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in New South Wales. That includes eight cases confirmed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and several of those cases including a woman who travelled from Melbourne were reported yesterday. The Crossroads Hotel cluster has grown to 42 cases.
At least 150 Victorian healthcare workers are infected with COVID-19 and hundreds more are in isolation after coming into contact with confirmed coronavirus cases.
More than 586,000 people around the globe have now died of coronavirus, with the USA's Centre for Disease Control predicting between 150,000 and 170,000 deaths in the country between now and August 8.
COVID-19 Update – July 16, 2020
Latest News
Victoria recorded 317 new cases of COVID-19 overnight and two more deaths.
Twenty-eight cases were from known and contained outbreaks and 289 cases are under review.
The two deaths were men in their 80s. There are currently 109 people in hospital with 29 of them in intensive care.
Yesterday, 28,607 tests were completed bringing the total number since January 1 to 1.26 million.
NSW has recorded ten new cases yesterday from 22,800 tests. Four were from hotel quarantine with three from the Crossroads Hotel outbreak and three under investigation.
There have been more than 13.4 million cases of COVID-19 recorded since the start of the pandemic and more than 580,000 people have died, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 7.4 million people have recovered from the virus.
COVID-19 Update – 15 July, 2020
Latest News
Victoria recorded 238 new COVID-19 cases overnight. Twenty-nine of them were from known and contained outbreaks and 209 were under investigation.
There are 104 Victorians in hospital with 27 in intensive care. Victoria has 1931 active cases currently with 27,040 tests performed yesterday. A women in her 90s became the 27th Victoria to die from COVID-19.
Victoria Police have issued more than 350 fines for breaches of restrictions over the past week, including two people playing Pokemon Go, a party in a city apartment and a street drinking party.
A fourth pub in south western Sydney has become the site of a detected COVID-19 case.
COVID-19 Update – July 14, 2020
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Victoria recorded 270 new cases of COVID-19 overnight and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has warned the state is yet to see the peak of the second surge.
Almost 22,000 tests were performed yesterday taking the state’s total of active cases to 1803.
The NSW government has moved to tighten some social restrictions again as health authorities work to trace the spread of a cluster of 21 COVID-19 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel in south-western Sydney.
The World Health Organisation has warned the pandemic will get 'worse and worse and worse' if countries fail to adhere to strict healthcare precautions.
The global death toll from COVID-19 has passed 569,000. The number of confirmed cases has surpassed 13 million and more than 7.1 million people have recovered, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.
COVID-19 Update – July 3
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Victoria recorded 66 new cases of COVID-19 overnight bringing the number of active cases to 442.
Seventeen cases were linked to known outbreaks, with one of those linked to a quarantine hotel outbreak, and 20 were found through routine testing. Twenty-eight cases are under investigation.
There are 23 people in hospital with six in intensive care.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the consistent numbers were pleasing.
24,430 tests were carried out yesterday.
The global death toll from coronavirus has passed 520,000 and there are more than 10.8 million known cases of infection, according to Johns Hopkins University.
NSW has recorded no new cases of coronavirus overnight. There are currently 67 cases being treated in hospital, with one person in intensive care.
More than 20 Victorian schools have closed in the past week due to positive COVID-19 cases among staff and students. A school on the NSW Central Coast is also closed on Friday as a precaution.
COVID-19 Update – July 2
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A total of 77 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Victoria overnight.
Thirteen were linked to known outbreaks, 37 were discovered through routine testing and 27 remained under investigation. Most are from inside the locked down postcodes.
Twenty people are in hospital in Victoria, four in intensive care.
NSW has recorded eight new coronavirus cases overnight, all in returned overseas travellers from overseas.
The NT recorded one new case, a traveller who returned from overseas via Melbourne.
COVID-19 Update – July 1
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Victoria recorded 73 new COVID-19 cases overnight after ahead of the lockdown tonight of ten postcodes in the city’s north and west.
Three cases are in hotel quarantine, nine are from known cases, 19 from routine testing and 42 are under investigation
20,682 tests were carried out yesterday bringing the number to 830,00o since January 1.
54,000 homes were door knocked in hot spot suburbs yesterday.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced yesterday a lockdown for residents in 10 postcodes across Melbourne’s coronavirus hotspots, to be enforced from tonight.
The Premier said the lockdown of Melbourne’s coronavirus hotspots will apply to ten postcodes meaning that residents in those areas are only allowed to leave the house for medical care, to buy groceries, to go to and from work and school, daily exercise and caregiving.
The lockdown applies to:
Postcode 3012 covering suburbs such as Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray.
Postcode 3021 suburbs include Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park and St Albans.
Postcode 3032 suburbs include Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore.
Postcode 3038 suburbs include Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens.
Postcode 3042 suburbs include Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie.
Postcode 3046 covers Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park, Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana.
Postcode 3055 suburbs include Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moreland West.
Postcode 3060 suburbs include Fawkner.
Postcode 3064 includes Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickelham, Roxburgh Park and Kalkallo.
COVID 19 Update – June 30 (PM)
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Dozens of suburbs across Melbourne’s west and north have been locked down again to stop rising cases of community transmission of COVID-19
People living in the areas will have to adhere to Stage 3 restrictions and people will have to stay home except for work and school that people must attend, care or care giving, daily exercise or purchasing food or essential items.
The restrictions come into effect tomorrow at midnight and will last for four weeks.
The ten post codes affected are: 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060 and 3064.
They include the suburbs of Broadmeadows, Fawkner Craigieburn, Brooklyn, Kingsville, Kings Park, St Albans, Ascot Vale, Travancore, Maribyrnong, Airport West, Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park and Hadfield.
Businesses in these areas will also have to close in line with Stage 3 restrictions.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the outbreaks were largely due to breaches of protocols in security at hotel quarantine sites. He announced an inquiry into how the breaches had occurred.
93,000 COVID-19 tests have been carried out during the government’s suburban testing blitz.
COVID-19 Update – June 30 (AM)
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Victoria recorded 64 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, but the net increase is 60 due to four cases being removed.
Of these, 13 new cases are linked to known outbreaks, 20 have been identified through routine testing and 31 cases are under investigation
A total of 281 cases are from community transmission, up by ten on yesterday.
Yesterday, Victoria recorded 75 new COVID-19.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said she was concerned at the upward trend in numbers.
New saliva tests for COVID-19 developed by Melbourne’s Doherty Institute have started being used.
There were 90 new case of COVID-19 over the weekend.
The pandemic is spreading faster around the globe with 200,000 new cases every day. There are now 10 million cases across the globe and more than 500,000 have died, according to John Hopkins University.
Queensland's borders will reopen in July but the state will remain closed to Victorians, who will have to self-quarantine for a fortnight at their own expense if they enter the state.
COVID-19 Update – June 29
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Victoria recorded 75 new COVID-19 cases overnight.
One case was a returned traveller in hotel quarantine, 14 were linked to existing outbreaks, 37 were detected though routine testing and 23 are under investigation.
There were six cases of community transmission with nine people currently in hospital and one in intensive care.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said she was concerned at the upward trend in numbers.
New saliva tests for COVID-19 developed by Melbourne’s Doherty Institute have started being used.
There were 90 new case of COVID-19 over the weekend.
The pandemic is spreading faster around the globe with 200,000 new cases every day. There are now 10 million cases across the globe and more than 500,000 have died, according to John Hopkins University.
COVID-19 Update – June 25
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A COVID-19 testing blitz has been unleashed in ten suburbs across Melbourne deemed to be virus hotspots.
Fifty per cent of the residents of Broadmeadows, Keilor Downs, Maidstone, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Hallam, Brunswick West, Fawkner, Reservoir and Pakenham will be tested over the coming weeks.
The move comes as 33 new COVID-19 cases were detected in Victoria overnight, the biggest increase in new coronavirus cases in Victoria in more than two months. But the number of community transmissions is down one on yesterday.
Qantas says it will cut 6000 jobs and stand down 15,000 workers as part of its recovery plan from the pandemic.
A primary school in Sydney, has been temporarily closed after a year 2 student tested positive for coronavirus.
More than a thousand ADF troops are being sent to help the state fight the growing coronavirus problem. The state will also get assistance from NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland to process virus tests.