Victoria has set a tragic new record for both the amount of COVID-19 cases and deaths in one day.
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There were 725 cases confirmed in the last 24 hours, with 15 deaths also recorded.
There have now been 162 lives lost in Victoria and 85 in the last week alone.
Among these deaths was a man in his 30s.
The new cases figure eclipses the previous high of 723, which was recorded last Thursday.
Addressing the media, Premier Daniel Andrews thanked the majority of Victorians were were obeying the rules.
However, he said there were still a number of people who continued to go against the Chief Health Officer's orders.
He said the "only thing that would pull the numbers up" would be to continue following the rules.
"You are making an amazing contribution," he said to people following the rules.
IN OTHER NEWS
The government also announced a winding back of non-urgent surgery in regional Victoria, which has gone into stage three lockdown, to cope with coronavirus cases.
"This is a regrettable decision but it is very important one in order to preserve sufficient capacity in our entire health system," Mr Andrews said.
Elective surgeries had already been cut back in the Melbourne metropolitan area to create capacity for aged care residents.
More than 300 residents have so far been moved out of aged care facilities to hospitals, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said there were limits to hospital capacity, when asked if it was sustainable to keep transferring residents.
"It's not the preferred option. So when there's an outbreak in an aged care there is an assessment that's made about, what is possible," he said.
In Ballarat, there was 12 active cases as of Tuesday. This figure is usually updated mid-late afternoon.
There are still two active cases in Hepburn, while Moorabool (14 active) and Golden Plains (10 active) have somewhat plateued.
There is now two cases in the Pyrenees, which only saw its first case on Sunday.
There also continues to be worrying signs in Geelong and Bendigo, with 120 and 25 active cases respectively.
As of midnight today, Ballarat and regional Victoria re-enters stage three lockdown, meaning there are only four reasons to leave home.
You can read about all the stage three restrictions here.
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.
- 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
- Wednesday, August 5: 725 cases, 15 deaths. A record figure reached yet again.
- 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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