Downward trend continues in Victoria as state records 113 new coronavirus infections, 12 deaths

Victoria's second coronavirus outbreak appears to be stabilising, with new cases numbers remaining below 150 since Monday.

Stage four coronavirus restrictions are in force across metropolitan Melbourne including a 8pm to 5am curfew.

Stage four coronavirus restrictions are in force across metropolitan Melbourne including a 8pm to 5am curfew. Source: AAP

Victoria has recorded 113 coronavirus cases and 12 deaths in the 24 hours to Friday morning. 

The daily number matches Thursday's tally of 113 new infections. 

The state's death toll now sits at 497, with all of fatalities reported on Thursday linked to outbreaks in aged care facilities.
Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton was encouraged by the declining trend in new infections, with new case numbers likely to fall back into the double digits over the coming days.

“We are clearly still trending in the right direction. It's not gotten below 100 yet, I do expect that to happen, if not over the weekend, then by next week, if trends continue,” he said.
Prof Sutton said the number of active aged care outbreaks had fallen, but the clusters are "still driving a significant proportion of our daily numbers."

He warned the state still had a long way to go before an easing of stage four restrictions could be considered.

“The tail of an epidemic has lots of complexity to it …the transmission that is ongoing is the most difficult transmission," he said.

“It's happening in pockets of the community and subpopulations that are hardest to identify, hardest to reach.

"When we are not doing the right thing, numbers go up. It really is as simple as that."
Premier Daniel Andrews has said Victoria must return to coronavirus case numbers not seen since early July before he would spell out how restrictions will be eased.

Most key statistics are showing the worst of Victoria's second outbreak is over and there is growing anticipation about how the government will ease current restrictions.

Mr Andrews reiterated it was too early to go into detail about how restrictions will ease, but said a rough roadmap of the way out of restrictions would be given to the public before Melbourne's Stage 4 lockdown is due to end on 13 September.
"We understand it is deeply frustrating that we can't necessarily provide every answered every question, that is the nature of this virus," he said.

"We will give you the plan and the certainty as soon as the numbers, the science, the data allows us to do that and that will be at least in broad terms that will before for the 13th."

Victoria is in the depths of lockdown fatigue, with police vowing to end daily protests that have happened this week in suburban Dandenong.

A large police presence greeted the latest protest on Thursday night, with about 100 people in attendance.

Two men were arrested at the gathering after allegedly failing to provide identification for breaching the chief health officer's directions and police issued a further 17 fines.
With good weather forecast this weekend, Mr Andrews urged residents to abide by the restrictions.

"We'd all love to be out and enjoying the wonderful spring day...but we've just got to stay the course on this," he said.

Data from the Coroners Court shows the Victorian suicide rate has not increased so far this year, despite concerns about the toll COVID-19 and lockdowns are taking on mental health.

A Roy Morgan poll released on Thursday also showed that a large majority of Victorians support government restrictions such as mandatory mask wearing and Melbourne's 8pm-5am curfew.

Additional reporting: AAP

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.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’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.

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4 min read
Published 28 August 2020 8:57am
Updated 28 August 2020 3:59pm
By SBS News
Source: SBS



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