Deadliest day yet: Victoria records 723 cases, 13 deaths in 24 hours

Victoria has recorded a total of 723 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of cases in the state to 9,998 since January 1. The current number of active cases is 5,885.

Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the state’s daily case increase this morning, which is the highest daily increase for any state or territory so far. The state’s previous highest-ever daily figure was recorded on Monday, when the state recorded a total of 532 cases.

Andrews also confirmed a further 13 deaths as a result of the virus, with 10 of those believed to be related to aged care outbreaks in the state. This marks the state’s deadliest day of the pandemic so far, and the state’s death toll now sits at 105. The premier confirmed that the deaths include three men and three women in their 70s, three men and two womens in their 80s and two men in their 90s.

“We send our condolences, our best wishes, our thoughts and prayers to those families. This will be incredibly challenging. At this stage, there’s still confirming work being done, but I think 10 of those 13 are connected to aged care,” the premier said.

There are also a total of 312 Victorias in hospital, including 34 who are receiving intensive care. While 913 of the state’s cases are linked to aged care facilities.

Andrews also confirmed this morning that, of the new cases, 255 of those were recorded in regional areas of Victoria. In line with these figures, the government will introduce stricter new guidelines for people living in six government areas from midnight tonight (Thursday).

Andrews said: “159 of those 255 active cases are from six local government areas that surrounding the Geelong corridor. From 11.59pm tonight, in the local government areas of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Moorabool, Golden Plains, Colac Otway, and the Borough of Queenscliff, people will no longer be able to have visitors to their home. You cannot visit friends, they cannot visit you.

“Hospitality venues will remain open. Some of the transmission is household to household, and that makes sense when you think about it. People are not necessarily keeping their distance in their family home.”

In addition, the guidelines around mandatory face masks will be extended from Monday to include all Victorians. The premier said: “Every single person in regional Victoria when out of their home will need to wear a mask or face covering.” Andrews said these preventative measures are being introduced to keep numbers low in regional Victoria.