Victorian Premier Daniel AndrewS
‘One-der-ful’: Victoria records just a single new case of coronavirus and no deaths
October 17, 2020
There has been just one new case of coronavirus and no deaths in Victoria over the past 24 hours.
Victoria has recorded only one new case of coronavirus and no deaths in the past 24 hours.
Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average of new cases is 8.1, according to government figures released on Saturday morning, while in regional Victoria it has dipped slightly to 0.5.
The number of cases in Melbourne with an unknown source remains at 17, with Premier Daniel Andrews confirming the new case was linked to a known outbreak.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton celebrated Saturday’s figures, tweeting that they were “one-der-ful”.
No new cases have been identified in Shepparton, in Victoria’s north, after a cluster of three confirmed cases led to hundreds of people isolating and thousands undergoing COVID-19 tests.
Melburnians are expecting some coronavirus restrictions to be eased on Sunday but it is unclear exactly what will happen.
“This is still not over and we can’t just throw open all the doors, get rid of all the rules and run towards COVID-normal,” Mr Andrews told reporters on Saturday.
“We have to do this in a safe and steady way. That is what we will do.”
Under the state government’s initial roadmap out of restrictions, Melbourne’s next step was to begin on 26 October. A 5km-from home limit was expected to be scrapped, the retail and hospitality industries reopened, public gatherings of up to 10 allowed outside and “household bubbles” of five indoors.
The step was moved forward to Monday but an outbreak at a Chadstone Shopping Centre store meant the city wouldn’t meet its required case targets.
Earlier this week Mr Andrews said Sunday’s announcements would be “much more in the social space than in the economic space”.
On Saturday, he hit back at federal Health Minister Greg Hunt who said the lower daily case numbers in Victoria meant it was time to reopen hospitality, free up movement and allow family reunions.
“Whilst people are entitled to different views, some people should reflect on the fact that they are in fact a health minister and that actually requires a certain standard,” he said.
“Tomorrow we will make significant announcements and we will have more to say about what the next weekend looks like.”
Mr Andrews said the 17 mystery cases were of “real concern” to the government, as it indicates a degree of community transmission and unknown close contacts.
“We are at a point now where we only have a tiny handful of cases per day but the mystery cases are still averaging one a day,” Professor Sutton added.
“They are making up a bigger proportion of our daily total, in part because they are the hardest ones to find.”
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
SBS
