Victoria recorded 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, a 90% drop on the number of new cases reported at the same point in August (142 new cases).
The state had 482 active cases with 247 (51%) linked to aged care. This is the first time the number of active cases has been below 500 since July 2, when 454 cases were reported.
Sadly, eight more deaths were reported, including a man in his 60s, a woman in her 70s, three women and one man in their 80s and one woman and one man in their 90s.
Victoria’s death toll is now 773, with 619 (80%) linked to aged care.
The major aged care outbreaks include:
- 256 cases linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee (no new cases since Wednesday)
- 220 cases linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping (1 new case since Thursday)
- 216 cases linked to St Basil’s Homes for the Aged (no new cases since Tuesday)
- 166 cases linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer (no new cases since Monday last week)
- 140 cases linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth (no new cases since Thursday last week)
- 132 cases have been linked to BlueCross Ruckers Hill Aged Care Facility in Northcote (1 new case since Thursday)
- 127 cases linked to Twin Parks Aged Care in Reservoir (no new cases since Wednesday)
- 124 cases linked to Cumberland Manor Aged Care Facility in Sunshine North (no new cases since Monday last week)
- 122 cases linked to Japara Goonawarra Aged Care Facility in Sunbury (no new cases since Tuesday)
Victoria’s 14-day average is sitting at 25.1 for metro Melbourne and 0.8 for regional Victoria.
There are 58 Victorians in hospital, with eight in ICU and six on a ventilator.
More clarity of greater easing of restrictions on Sunday
In his daily press briefing, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews continued to dangle the carrot of a greater easing of restrictions in Melbourne with numbers dropping “ahead of schedule”.
“We are on track, the strategy is working,” he said.
“I do hope to be able to talk a little bit more about how I think October will unfold and maybe give people some clarity around, because we are ahead of schedule, what might be possible.”
“Sunday will not be a day where we are throwing the doors open and everyone gets to go back to COVID-normal.”
