Victoria has recorded 19 new coronavirus cases overnight, the fifth day in a row of double-digit increases, prompting the Government to extend the state of emergency for a further four weeks.
Key points:
- The state of emergency in Victoria has been extended until 11: 59pm on July 19
- The new cases include 15 locally acquired cases and four among returned travellers in hotel quarantine
- Victoria Police will conduct more home visits to check that people who have been told to self-isolate are complying
It includes three new cases linked to an outbreak among contractors working at the Stamford Plaza Hotel, where returned international travellers have been quarantined, bringing the total number of cases in that cluster to 13.
There was also four new cases of travellers in hotel quarantine, three detected in routine testing and eight cases under investigation.
Ms Mikakos said the state of emergency had been extended to allow the Chief Health Officer to continue to issue fresh legal directions.
“We still have, obviously, a public health emergency in Victoria,” Ms Mikakos said.
“It is still a very serious situation.”
The rec