As Victoria recorded its highest daily increase of COVID-19 cases, Premier Daniel Andrews has today dismissed speculations of a move to a higher stage of restrictions.
A total of 317 new coronavirus cases were confirmed overnight, bringing the state’s tally of active cases to 2,128.
Andrews said “no announcements” will be made about stage four restrictions today, adding that it was “way too early” to introduce further lockdowns.
“I know there’s been a lot of discussion, a lot written and said about possible stage four [restrictions], there are no announcements to be made about that today,” he said.
“That shouldn’t be read to mean there will be announcements made tomorrow. We, of course, plan for every single contingency but it is well too early for us to be moving to a whole new stage.
“This is in the hands of all Victorians though. If you want to get out of these restrictions as fast as possible we all need to play our part.”
Victoria Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said the state may not have hit its peak of its latest surge in infections.
“It’s a big number, in some ways I expect it to turn around this week but there’s no guarantee,” Professor Sutton said.
The deaths of two men in their 80s brought Victoria’s coronavirus death toll to 29.
The latest clusters in the state include:
- 157 cases linked to the Al-Taqwa College in Truganina
- Six cases linked to HWL Ebsworth Lawyers in Melbourne’s CBD
- 37 cases linked to Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham
- 31 cases linked to Menarock Life aged care facility in Essendon
- Five cases linked to St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner
- 23 cases linked to Glendale Aged Care in Werribee
- 21 cases linked to Estia Health Aged Care in Ardeer
- 29 cases linked to JBS abattoir in Brooklyn
