Record 532 COVID-19 cases, 6 deaths in Victoria overnight

Victoria has recorded 532 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and six more deaths. Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the grim news and  warns more will die if people do not follow guidelines

The latest cases are the worst total recorded anywhere in the nation since the pandemic began. The previous highest tally was 484 on Wednesday, July 22.  It follows the state’s deadliest day on Sunday when 10 people lost their lives to the virus. 

The six people who have died in the past 24-hours are a woman in her 90s, a woman in her 80s, a man in his 80s, a woman in her 70s, a man in his 70s, and a man in his fifties.

There are now 245 Victorians in hospital and the number of people in intensive care has risen to 44.  About 400 health workers are active cases as of the situation report first thing this morning.

The Australian Prime Minister  Scott Morrison has warned of the importance of every Australian playing their part so that aged care infections do not continue to rise as they are.

The Australian Prime Minister has compared Victoria's coronavirus outbreaks to those in Europe earlier in the year.

He says the state has a "long way to go" before community transmission is under control.

"We are still seeing case numbers at elevated levels and so, as we have seen from other jurisdictions, when you get community-based transmission, it does take some time to get that down," he said.

"We saw that in the UK. We saw it in Europe. 

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has told reporters this morning that she is prepared to “slam the border shut” to protect Queensland from the growing community transmission of Covid-19 in NSW and Victoria.

There are already restrictions in place for travellers from Victoria and three Sydney local government areas.

Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. People are also advised to wear masks in public.

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.