Original article by Michael Fowler
The Age – Page: Online : 11-Aug-21

Victoria has recorded 20 new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours; only five had been self-isolating while they were infectious, while 10 of the new cases have been linked to a shopping centre in Caroline Springs. Meanwhile, the state government is expected to extend Melbourne’s current lockdown beyond the scheduled end date of 12 August, amid concern about rising case numbers in the western suburbs. University of South Australia epidemiologist Adrian Esterman contends that the restrictions should not be relaxed until daily case numbers are in single digits. He says the four-day average of the current outbreak is still rising and is unlikely to peak for another 2-3 days.

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Original article by Paul Sakkal
The Age – Page: Online : 6-Aug-21

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has defended the state’s seven-day state-wide COVID-19 lockdown, which began at 8pm on 5 August and comes just nine days after the last one ended. Andrews contends that without swift action the state would have been looking at a much longer lockdown, given that the vaccination target of 80 per cent of the population is unlikely to be reached until late in 2021. Victoria has recorded eight new locally-acquired cases in the last 24 hours, although two were reported late in the day and will be included in the case numbers for 6 August. There are now 82 COVID-19 cases in Victoria. Meanwhile, the state government will request additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine from its federal counterpart.

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Original article by Mitch Clarke
Herald Sun – Page: 7 : 28-Jul-21

Victoria’s 12-day COVID-19 lockdown ended at 11.59pm on 27 July, although "lockdown lite" restrictions will remain in place for at least two weeks. Amongst other things, the 5km travel limit has been scrapped, schools and gyms will reopen and Victorians will be allowed to leave their home for any reason; however, households will continue to be banned from having visitors and face masks will remain compulsory in all public places. Premier Daniel Andrews has warned that some restrictions – and the potential for further lockdowns – can be expected until the majority of Victorians have been vaccinated; about 40.48 per cent of Victorians aged 16+ have received one dose, while 16.98 per cent are fully vaccinated. Victoria has recorded 10 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, but they had all been self-isolating while they were infectious.

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Original article by Michael Fowler, Aisha Dow, Melissa Cunningham
The Age – Page: Online : 21-Jul-21

Victoria has recorded 13 new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, including one mystery case. Four of the new cases were active in the community while they were infectious. The state government has responded by extending the state-wide lockdown by another seven days; it is now slated to end at 11.59pm on 27 July, although health experts caution that this will depend on the case load at the time. The government has also closed its borders to all travellers from New South Wales and the ACT for two weeks, including Victorian residents who are not deemed to be authorised workers or qualify for an exemption on compassionate grounds.

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Original article by Jade Gailberger, John Dagge, Miles Proust
Herald Sun – Page: 7 : 19-Jul-21

Victoria has recorded 16 new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, while a Mildura man will be added to the case numbers for 19 July. He tested positive after returning home from Melbourne, where he attended an AFL match at the MCG; it is the regional city’s first COVID-19 in more than a year. Meanwhile, the Victorian government is expected to extend the state-wide lockdown until Friday at the earliest, amid concern about a number of potential ‘super-spreading’ exposure sites. Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out any changes to lockdown restrictions in regional areas, saying the Mildura case shows how quickly the coronavirus can spread. There are currently 60 active locally-acquired cases in Victoria.

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