Victoria has set another new grim record, with a further 17 deaths in the past 24 hours.
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The previous deadly daily tally was 15, announced on Wednesday.
Ten of the 17 deaths are linked to aged care. The new deaths confirmed:
- Two males in their 50s
- Four males in their 70s
- Four females and two males in their 80s
- Two females and three males in their 90s
In somewhat positive news, for the first time in a week there were less than 400 cases recorded in the past 24 hours, with 394 active infections being confirmed by Premier Daniel Andrews in this morning's press conference.
The state's numbers haven't been less than 400 since last Saturday, when 397 new infections were confirmed.
In the past week, numbers have been mainly in the 400s but there were 725 new cases announced on Wednesday, which was a record.
THE PAST WEEK
- Sunday, August 9: 394 new cases, 17 deaths.
- Saturday, August 8: 466 new cases, 12 deaths
- Friday, August 7: 450 new cases, 11 deaths.
- Thursday, August 6: 471 new cases, eight deaths.
- Wednesday, August 5: 725 new cases, 15 deaths. Two devastating records set in one day.
- Tuesday, August 4: 439 new cases, 11 deaths. $5000 fines introduced for COVID-infected people who aren't home.
- Monday, August 3: 429 cases, 13 deaths. Premier details mass industry shutdowns in Melbourne.
It takes Victoria to 14,659 cases in total, with 7854 of those currently being active. Of those active infections, 994 are healthcare workers.
There are now 634 people in hospitals across Victoria, with 43 in intensive care. Of those, there are 26 who are currently relying on a ventilator.
More than 41,000 tests were conducted across the state on Saturday, bringing the total to 1,801,385 tests since January 1.
However, there are a further 174 'mystery cases' which remains "our biggest challenge", Mr Andrews says.
A further $60 million has been put forward for mental health for those impacted by the pandemic. This is on top of the $130 million in cash since March and $12 million of federal money announced last week.
Metropolitan Melbourne has been under tough stage-four restrictions for a week, while regional Victoria went back into stage three lockdown on Wednesday, but residents won't see the results of their efforts for another one-to-two weeks.
Ballarat has had 37 COVID-19 infections - 18 are active - as of Saturday afternoon. New figures are expected later today.
Ballarat Health Services said late Saturday afternoon they were caring for two patients in a stable condition at hospital and 12 in homes.
Moorabool (14 active) and Golden Plains (13) have similar numbers, while Hepburn no longer has the virus, according to official statistics. Pyrenees Shire, which didn't have a single case for so long, now has two active infections.
Almost 270 Victorians have been fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions, including a man helping a friend move a TV across Melbourne.
Victoria Police issued a total of 268 fines to individuals, including 77 for curfew breaches, 38 for failing to wear a face mask when leaving home and 13 for vehicle checkpoint violations.
One case involved a man who told police he was helping a friend move a television some 27 kilometres from Doncaster East to Dandenong and thought it would be OK to stop at a fast food outlet to get a burger.
Another involved a man who had four friends over to visit at his bungalow in the backyard of a Mount Alexander property in central Victoria to "watch the footy".
In Melbourne, a man was picked up at 2am for breaching the city's 8pm to 5am curfew after having drinks at a pub with friends.
All the cases occurred within the past 24 hours, Victoria Police said on Sunday.
Police also conducted 3841 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places across the state.
Under stage four restrictions applying to metropolitan Melbourne, people must stay at home between 8pm and 5am, unless they need to leave for work, medical care or caregiving.
Outside of those hours, residents can't leave home unless they are shopping for food or essential items, for exercise or permitted work and must stay within a 5km radius of their homes.
Under stage three restrictions applying to regional Victoria and Mitchell Shire, stay-at-home restrictions are in effect.
MORE TO COME
VICTORIA'S NIGHTMARE STRETCH
- Sunday, August 9: 394 new cases, 17 deaths. Victoria's deadliest day.
- Saturday, August 8: 466 new cases, 12 deaths
- Friday, August 7: 450 new cases, 11 deaths.
- Thursday, August 6: 471 new cases, eight deaths.
- Wednesday, August 5: 725 new cases, 15 deaths. Two devastating records set in one day.
- Tuesday, August 4: 439 new cases, 11 deaths. $5000 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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