Victoria reports 1,750 COVID-19 cases and nine deaths after emerging from lockdown
Victoria has reported 1,750 new coronavirus cases and nine deaths, as Melbourne and Mildura residents mark their first weekend out of lockdown.
Friday’s caseload came from 72,858 tests, the Department of Health said, and took the number of active cases in the state to more than 23,000.
The nine new deaths include a man in his 60s, three women and two men in their 70s, a woman in her 80s and two women in their 90s.
Some 770 patients are in Victorian hospitals, slightly down on the seven-day average of 790. Of those in hospital, 144 are in intensive care and 90 are on ventilators.
More than 72 per cent of Victorians aged 16 or over have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Friday saw millions of people in Melbourne and the regional city of Mildura emerge from lockdown.
But authorities have warned daily COVID-19 cases are expected to reach record highs in the coming weeks.
“Let’s not slack off, let’s increase the pace as we get to the 80 per cent milestone but also the 90 per cent vaccination milestone,” COVID-19 Response Commander Jeroen Weimar said on Saturday.
“As we start to open up and socialise more and do all those wonderful things that are now possible again, remember if you have any symptoms, whether you are vaccinated or not, make sure you’re tested and that’s the best way you can keep protecting yourself and those around you.”
Victoria recorded 2,189 new cases and 16 deaths on Friday, the highest daily tally of the state’s third wave.
The state also announced it will scrap quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers arriving from overseas, bringing it into line with New South Wales.
Victoria on track to hit 80 per cent target early
Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday confirmed the state was on track to reach 80 per cent full vaccination by next weekend.
He said he would hold a press conference “quite soon to clarify what we hope can happen at the end of next week”.
“We will deliver faithfully each and every item contained within the Victorian roadmap to deliver the national plan and if we can go further, then, of course, we will make announcements to that effect,” Mr Andrews said.
According to the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, outdoor masks will be scrapped, statewide travel will return, indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and theatres, gyms and retail can reopen and capacity limits can increase when the state reaches 80 per cent.
The state was initially forecast to reach the milestone on 5 November.
Source: sbs.com.au
