Victoria has recorded 439 new COVID-19 cases as Victoria enters its harshest lockdown yet.
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The figure, similar to yesterday's tally of 429, is a significant drop from other figures in the past week, which peaked at 723.
However, Premier Daniel Andrews said it was still unacceptably high.
There were also 11 more deaths, taking the total to 147 in Victoria so far.
All deaths were connected to aged care settings.
There were about 21,000 tests conducted yesterday.
Speaking to the media, Mr Andrews said there would be new measures introduced to ensure COVID patients stayed at home.
Of the approximately 3000 door knocks conducted by the Australian Defence Force, Mr Andrews said the person who was supposed to be isolating "could not be found" more than 800 times.
As of now, COVID patients are no longer allowed to leave their home for exercise if they are supposed to be isolating.
Previously, they were allowed to leave their property for outdoor exercise.
IN OTHER NEWS
There will be an ever harsher checking program introduced to ensure infected people stay at home.
A new on-the-spot fine of $4,957 has also been introduced for infected people who breach isolation orders for the second time.
It is the largest on-the-spot fine Victoria Police can issue.
If such conditions are breached, Victoria Police also has the power to take people to court where a maximum of a $20,000 fine could be introduced.
The existing $1,652 fine for breaching stay-at-home orders and the $200 fine for not wearing a mask will remain.
An additional 250 police, 500 ADF and 300 health staff will monitor the compliance.
"That team is growing substantially and that means every single positive case will be door-knocked multiple times, random and repeated doorknocks," Mr Andrews told reporters.
In Ballarat, there remained 11 active cases as of Monday afternoon. This figure is usually updated mid-late afternoon.
There were two new cases found in Hepburn, the first in months, while Moorabool (15 active) and Golden Plains (10 active) continue to grow steadily. There is still one case in the Pyrenees.
There also continues to be worrying signs in Geelong and Bendigo, with 106 and 26 active cases respectively.
Melbourne this week entered its harshest lockdown yet, with a curfew imposed between 8pm and 5am.
Exercise is only capped at one hour per day in the stage four restrictions, with only two people allowed to exercise at a time.
A range of industries are set to be shut down or significantly altered this week, which was detailed on Monday.
In Ballarat and regional Victoria, stage three lockdowns will be implemented at 11.59pm on Wednesday night.
These will be the same conditions that were imposed months ago, with people only allowed to leave their home for four reasons:
- to shop for food and essential goods or services
- to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- to exercise or for outdoor recreation with your household, or one other person
- for work or study, if you can't do it from home
WHERE TO TAKE A COVID-19 TEST IN BALLARAT
Everyone who feels even the slightest cold or flu-like symptom must assume they have the virus until a test result proves otherwise. Anybody with symptoms or awaiting a result should self-isolate at home.
- If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, make an appointment either online or by phone (4311 1571) to take a test at Lucas Community Hub. Tests are by appointment only.
- There is now a testing site at the Ballarat Senior Citizens Centre in the CBD. People are encouraged to book a test by calling 1800 054 172.
VICTORIA'S NIGHTMARE STRETCH
- Tuesday, August 4: 439 cases, 11 deaths. New fines introduced for COVID-infected people who aren't home.
- Monday, August 3: 429 cases, 13 deaths. Premier details mass industry shutdowns in Melbourne.
- Sunday, August 2: 671 cases, seven deaths as harsh new statewide lockdowns are announced
- Saturday, August 1: 397 new cases, three deaths
- Friday, July 31: 627 new cases, eight deaths. Premier says one in four Covid cases not home when checked.
- Thursday July 30: 723 cases, 13 deaths. Just when it was looking promising, alarming new record set.
- Wednesday July 29: 295 new cases, nine deaths as new cases drop below 300 for first time in nine days
- Tuesday July 28: 380 new cases, six deaths as aged care outbreaks continue to climb
- Monday July 27: 532 new cases as daily cases hits 500 for first time, six deaths
- Sunday July 26: 459 new cases as double-digit death toll is recorded for first time with 10 deaths
- Saturday July 25: 357 new cases, five new deaths
- Friday July 24: 300 cases, six deaths, ADF role expanded to help with contact tracing.
- Thursday July 23 - 403 cases, five deaths, worst day for fatalities in any state, masks now mandatory
- Wednesday July 22 - 484 cases, two deaths
- Tuesday July 21 - 374 cases, three deaths
- Monday July 20 - 275 cases, one death
- Sunday July 19 - 363 cases, three deaths, notice that masks will become mandatory in lockdown areas
- Saturday July 18 - 217 cases, three deaths, final Melbourne public housing tower released from hard lockdown
- Friday July 17 - 428 cases, three deaths
- Thursday July 16 - 317 cases, two deaths
- Wednesday July 15 - 238 cases, one death
- Tuesday July 14 - 270 cases, two deaths
- Monday July 13 - 177 cases
- Sunday July 12 - 273 cases, one death
- Saturday July 11 - 216 cases, one death
- Friday July 10 - 288 cases, a national daily record at the time
- Thursday July 9 - 165 cases, eight of nine Melbourne public housing towers released from hard lockdown
- Wednesday July 8 - 134 cases, new stage-three restrictions announced for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
- Tuesday July 7 - 191 cases
- Monday July 6 - 127 cases, two deaths, NSW border closed
- Sunday July 5 - 74 cases
- Saturday July 4 - 108 cases, immediate hard lockdown of nine Melbourne public housing towers
- Friday July 3 - 66 cases
- Thursday July 2 - 77 cases
- Wednesday July 1 - 73 cases
AFFECTED BY THIS STORY?
Support is available. You are never alone.
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au
- Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
- Mensline: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au
- Survivors of Suicide: 0449 913 535
- Relationships Australia: 1800 050 321
- headspace Ballarat (for 12-25s and parent support): 5304 4777
- Soldier On: 1300 620 380
- Ballarat Community Health: 5338 4500
- QLife: 1800 184 527 (Support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people)
- Family violence: 1800 RESPECTVeterans support: If you or someone you know needs support call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit www.openarms.gov.au
- For Aboriginal crisis support: Yarning SafeNStrong, 1800 959 563 (noon to 10pm)
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