Victoria saw its lowest increase new daily cases in almost three months.
The state recorded 28 new cases, the lowest daily increase since June 25.
This time last month, there were 282 new cases, including 19 reclassified due to duplication.
Victoria recorded eight new deaths, with six related to aged care outbreaks. This includes a woman in her 60s, two men in their 80s, and three women and two men in their 90s.
And the number of active cases was 947, with 463 (roughly 48%) related to aged care.
In his press briefing, Premier Daniel Andrews was asked whether there was a possibility of easing rules for the general community and somehow ‘ratcheted up’ for concentrated outbreaks.
But the Premier poured cold water on the suggestion, saying, “people who work in aged care live in families, in suburbs, they do not live in the facility they work in.”
The major aged care outbreaks include:
- 252 cases linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee (1 new case since Wednesday)
- 219 cases linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping (1 new case since Wednesday)
- 215 cases linked to St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner (2 new cases since Wednesday)
- 166 cases linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer (no new cases since Monday)
- 140 cases linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth (1 new case since Wednesday)
- 130 cases have been linked to BlueCross Ruckers Hill Aged Care Facility in Northcote (no new cases since Wednesday)
- 128 cases linked to Twin Parks Aged Care in Reservoir (1 new case since Wednesday)
- 124 cases linked to Cumberland Manor Aged Care Facility in Sunshine North (no new cases since Monday last week)
- 120 cases linked to Japara Goonawarra Aged Care Facility in Sunbury (no new cases since Monday)
- 119 cases linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Heidelberg (no new cases since Monday)
There were 97 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 12 in ICU, with six of those on ventilators.
More information on PPE requirements for aged care workers
Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Allen Cheng also fronted the press where he was asked why aged care workers were not all required to wear full PPE (gowns, shields and gloves) until the facility had an outbreak.
"I would just make the point that a mask and eye protection is the most important part," he said.
"We often encourage people not to wear gloves... when people wear gloves, often they don't do hand hygiene properly, and actually it is one of the most important parts."
Just one case in aged care constitutes an outbreak – Andrews
The Premier also revealed “just one case” in an aged care facility would represent an outbreak under the state’s current definition
“That's a representation of just how vulnerable people in aged care are,” the Victorian Premier said.
“These are community transmissions coming into aged care.”
“Many would describe the settings in Victoria in aged care as a lockdown - I don't know if I would quite use that term.”
