Australia Corona Virus

Victoria records 1,420 new COVID-19 infections and 11 deaths

Source: ABCnews

Victoria has recorded 1,420 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and the deaths of 11 more people with the virus.

It is the highest daily death toll of the state’s third wave, and takes the number of fatalities of this outbreak to 68.

The new cases were found from 71,451 test results processed on Tuesday.

It comes a day after a record-high daily tally of 1,763 new infections was reported, the highest for any jurisdiction in Australia since the pandemic began.

“It is probable that ongoing transmissions from cases generated via the superspreading events related to Grand Final gatherings have likely contributed to the notable increase,” the health department said yesterday.

Modelling suggests the state is still yet to reach the peak of infections, and hospitalisations are projected to rise alongside new cases — something which has led to fears about the state’s healthcare system.

The new infections reported today take the number of active infections in the state to 14,410.

But the state remains on track to lift lockdown once 70 per cent of people aged 16 and older have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, then grant more freedoms at 80 per cent double dosed.

State and Commonwealth vaccination figures differ slightly, but indicate about 83 per cent of Victorians aged over 16 have received at least one dose of vaccine and around 53 per cent are fully vaccinated.