Cases surge in Victoria despite Melbourne lockdown

Australia’s virus-hit state of Victoria has reported its worst death toll and case rise, triggering fears that a six-week lockdown of state capital Melbourne is not working.

The state confirmed 13 brand-new deaths and 723 brand-new cases on Thursday – a 36%jump on the case record set on Monday.

There are fears now that Melbourne’s lockdown, which started on 7 July, will require to be extended.

The spike suggested Australia overall had its most dangerous day in the pandemic.

Authorities in Victoria renewed appeals for people with signs to get checked quickly.

Last week, the Victorian federal government stated sick people breaking isolation rules – or not getting tested in time – was leading to continued spread despite lockdown measures.

” If you’ve got signs, the only thing you can do is get evaluated,” stated Premier Daniel Andrews.

” You just can’t go to work. Due to the fact that all you’ll be doing is spreading out the infection.”

Thursday’s figures rush hopes that current lower case numbers indicated the state had turned a corner.

Under Melbourne’s 2nd stay-at-home order, people can not leave their house other than for workout, food shopping, work and care-giving.

Melbourne has also become the first Australian city to make mask-wearing compulsory in public, and this will be extended to all of Victoria from Monday.

Premier Andrews stated the most recent case numbers showed the virus’s hold in the city’s assisted living home – with one in six cases linked to residents and personnel.

Elderly people have made up most of deaths re