Victoria records another 17 deaths amid sharp drop in new coronavirus case numbers

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Source: AAP

Victoria has had its lowest daily number of new coronavirus cases for a month while recording 17 more deaths.

The daily figure of 222 is a sharp drop and the lowest tally since July 18, which had 217 new cases.

It’s the strongest sign yet the state is finally beating its second outbreak, which has forced Melbourne into a six-week, stage-four lock down.

Melbourne is scheduled to come out of the lockdown on 13 September. Regional Victoria remains under stage-three restrictions.

The 17 deaths also represent a significant decrease from Monday’s record tally of 25 and take the state toll to 351, while the national figure rises to 438.

Experts warn the death toll will remain significant for several more days, given there is always a lag of a couple of weeks after the peak of coronavirus outbreaks before the number of fatalities also starts declining.

Victoria hit a record 725 new cases on August 5 but there have been no 400-plus days since last Wednesday.

Professor Catherine Bennett, chair in epidemiology at Deakin University, noted the link between high case numbers in Melbourne’s low socio-economic areas and Victoria’s botched hotel quarantine scheme.

“The communities hardest hit when their workers brought the virus home were also those most challenged in the face of the pandemic – over-represented in multi-site casual work, unable to work from home or afford to forgo work,” she said in a statement.

“The fact that the wave is turning in Victoria is largely a credit to those hardest hit, and who have had to do the really hard yards to shut down local transmission.”

Of Monday’s record deaths, 22 were linked to aged care.

A breakdown of ICU hospitalisation data shows 31 of 49 patients are aged 60 or over.

Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons. 

Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative. 

All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.

SBS