Victoria has recorded its highest ever daily increase of Covid-19 cases, with Premier Daniel Andrews confirming an additional 484 cases in the southern state on Wednesday afternoon. Of the 484 new cases, 97 are connected to known, or contained, outbreaks, while 387 are being investigated.
The state also recorded two further deaths overnight, after two male aged care residents in their 90s passed away as a result of the virus. This takes the state’s overall death toll to 44, and the national number to 128.
“I will again take this opportunity to send our best wishes to their loved ones, their friends and family. This will be a very challenging, very sad time for them, and we send our love and best wishes to them,” he said.
Andrews also confirmed that there are currently 205 Victorians in hospital, with 40 of those receiving intensive care. The Labor leader also confirmed the breakdown of cases by region, stating that of 3,408 active cases, 3,305 of those are in metro Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
The premier also urged people who may feel sick or display symptoms to refrain from carrying out their usual daily activities until they have been tested and received a negative result. The premier said that from 3,810 cases between July 7 and July 21, nine out of 10 people did not isolate between when they initially felt sick and when they got tested.
“People have felt sick, they’ve kept going shopping, they’ve kept going to work … that means people have felt unwell and just gone about their business,” Andrews said. “They have gone out shopping. They have gone to work. They have been at the height of their infectivity. And they have just continued on as usual.
“The one and only that you can and must do when you feel sick is to go and get tested. Nothing else is acceptable. If people don’t do that, we will continue to see numbers increase.”
As of midnight tonight, those living in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire must wear face masks or coverings when out in public. If they do not, they risk being fined $200.