Source: ABCnews
Victoria has recorded 1,903 new local COVID-19 cases and seven deaths as the state moves closer to the end of its lockdown.
There are now 22,327 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 152 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.
The new cases were identified from 69,825 test results received yesterday.
There were 32,405 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites yesterday, and more doses delivered at GP clinics and other venues.
Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced Victoria’s lockdown would end at 11:59pm on Thursday when the state reaches its goal of having 70 per cent of people aged 16+ fully vaccinated.
Mr Andrews pledged the state will have endured its last COVID-19 lockdown when restrictions are lifted this week.
“That is what the national plan says, that’s what I’m determined to deliver,” he told ABC News Breakfast.LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic
The Victorian government has revealed changes to isolation requirements for people deemed to be primary close contacts of confirmed cases.
From Friday, non-household close contacts who are fully vaccinated will only be required to spend seven days in isolation.
For household contacts, and unvaccinated people, the isolation period will remain at 14 days.
Premier defends decision to keep retail closed
Some retail operators are disappointed they won’t yet be able to reopen, despite hospitality businesses being given the green light to open their doors.
“If we could open everything at the same time and not have our health system and our hospitals overrun, then of course we would do that and I’m very sorry that we can’t do everything at once,” Mr Andrews said.
The Premier hit out at federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who yesterday questioned why Sydneysiders were allowed greater freedoms than Melburnians when both jurisdictions reach their vaccination targets.
“His endless criticism and negativity, I just don’t think it goes down very well in Victoria because it doesn’t work against this virus,” Mr Andrews said.Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
