Victoria’s coronavirus cases rise by 179 as state reports nine further COVID-19 deaths

Melbourne’s stage 4 restrictions are in place until September 13, while regional Victoria remains on stage 3.(ABC News: Simon Winter, File Photo).                        

Victoria has recorded 179 new coronavirus cases and nine further deaths, the state’s health department has announced.

It is the first time in more than five weeks that the state has recorded fewer than 200 new cases, and is the lowest daily total since July 13.

The latest deaths take Victoria’s coronavirus death toll to 385.

There is still significant concern about the impact of the outbreak on the state’s hospitals and healthcare workers.

As of yesterday, there were 753 active cases in healthcare workers, and many more staff were unable to work after being identified as close contacts.

One of the latest outbreaks involves Peninsula Health, which has seen 51 staff at Frankston Hospital diagnosed with COVID-19.

A further 17 patients who spent time at their Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre have also tested positive.

More information on today’s new cases is expected to be provided at a press conference later today.

Active cases in the state dived by 2,291 yesterday.

Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said a lot of work had gone on in recent days to release people from isolation, which required case interviews and assessment by trained health professionals.

But he warned new case numbers would likely have to drop to “single digits or low double digits” before Melbourne could emerge from stage 4 restrictions.

Premier Daniel Andrews also indicated yesterday that numbers would need to decrease substantially before restrictions could be lifted.

Victoria recorded 240 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and 13 deaths.

“Even though we’ve got numbers in the low 200s and the trend is good … even at half that number if you opened up you wouldn’t have defeated the second wave, you’d just be beginning the process of a third wave,” he said.

Mr Andrews is expected to speak after the National Cabinet meeting today.

State border closures are expected to be one of the big issues on the agenda at the meeting of state premiers, chief ministers, and the Prime Minister.

The issue was brought sharply into focus yesterday, when Qantas announced a $2 billion loss since the pandemic began.

Victorians living in communities near the New South Wales and South Australian borders have raised concerns about the difficulty accessing medical treatment and workplaces — particularly in the agriculture sector. Source: abc