Covid-19 ‘deeply embedded’ in Victoria as state records 532 cases, 6 deaths

Victoria has recorded its highest-ever daily increase of Covid-19 cases, with Premier Daniel Andrews confirming an additional 532 cases on Monday morning. There is now a total of 8,696 confirmed cases in the state.

Andrews also confirmed the sad news that six more people have passed away as a result of the virus. Five of those deaths were related to outbreaks in aged care, including a woman in her 90s, a man and woman in their 80s and a man and woman in their 70s, as well as a man in his 50s.

In addition, 245 Victorians are currently receiving treatment in hospital, with 44 of those people receiving intensive care.

Andrews yet again urged people to “do the right thing” and get tested if they feel sick in any way or are displaying symptoms of coronavirus, condemning Victorians who have made the decision to continue going into work despite showing signs of illness.

“The key message today for every single Victorian, regardless of where they work and regardless of where they live, you simply can’t go to work if you have symptoms,” he told reporters. “You can’t go to work if you feel sick even mildly. You got to come forward and get tested.”

He added: “This is what is driving these numbers up and the lockdown will not end until people stop going to work with symptoms and instead go and get tested because they have symptoms.

“It’s not a matter of blame, it’s not a matter of judgement, these are the facts and unless we see a change, then we’re going to continue to see these numbers at unacceptably high levels. So, please, do something that will we will all be so grateful for – act on your symptoms.”

The premier’s announcement came after Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said that the virus is “deeply embedded” in Melbourne, and that the second wave could potentially be more contagious than the initial outbreak. However he stressed there is not yet firm data on this.

“The virus is deeply embedded within the community in Victoria and so it’s going to take longer to come under control,” he told the Today show on Monday.