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Coronavirus live news: cases climb in Victoria, Australia, amid record infections globally Coronavirus live news: cases climb in Victoria, Australia, amid record infections globally
(32 minutes later)
Record wave of infections globally with 284,196 new cases; France discourages travel to Catalonia region; South Africa shuts schools for a monthRecord wave of infections globally with 284,196 new cases; France discourages travel to Catalonia region; South Africa shuts schools for a month
Here’s where we stand right now:
The United States recorded over 1,000 deaths for the fourth day in a row. It is the first four-day streak since early June.
Mexico reported 7,573 new cases. There were also 737 deaths, as the government warns the real number of infections is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases
Victoria recorded 357 new cases and five deaths. Health officials say the number of new cases every day is stubborn, but there has been some stability, amid dozens of clusters in aged care facilities and food distribution facilities across the state.
New South Wales reported 15 new cases. Eight are associated with the Thai Rock restaurant cluster. One case is under investigation. Six are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
Germany reported 781 new cases.
South Korea reported 113 new cases. The highest number of new cases since March. Of the new cases, 86 were imported and 27 were domestic infections.
Vietnam reports first local case in three months. Vietnam’s health ministry said that a 57-year-old man from Danang, a popular tourist hotspot, had tested positive three times for the virus, prompting the isolation of 50 people he came in contact with.
The WHO reported the greatest single-day increase in global cases yet seen, with the total rising by 284,196 in 24 hours. The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report.
Western Australia has reported no new active cases of coronavirus for the seventh straight day.
The state’s total case number rose by two, however, to 656 after historical cases were identified through serology testing – one woman in her 20s and one woman in her 40s, both linked to overseas travel, with one being a former passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
A total of 585 tests were conducted in WA on Friday, and there are currently five active cases in the state.
Speaking of Vietnam, AP reports Australia has welcomed the decision of Vietnam to ban wildlife imports and close wildlife markets over threats posed by diseases that jump from animals to humans, like Covid-19.
The Australian agriculture minister, David Littleproud, said Vietnam’s crackdown was a huge win for global public health.
“Vietnam is reducing the risk of future pandemics and showing the world how we can manage these markets into the future,” Littleproud said.
“All nations have a responsibility to keep people safe from harm and regulating the production and sale of wild animals that carry diseases is a critical part of that.”
He said the Vietnamese government should be congratulated for their leadership in taking “evidence-based approach to reducing the risk of animal to human diseases being spread. Australia will also continue to pursue global reforms on this issue where other opportunities exist.”
Reuters is reporting medical officials in the central city of Danang detected what could be the first local case of Covid-19 in Vietnam in three months.Reuters is reporting medical officials in the central city of Danang detected what could be the first local case of Covid-19 in Vietnam in three months.
The Australian capital territory has recorded no new cases of coronavirus. The Australian Capital Territory has recorded no new cases of coronavirus.
The territory is reminding people not to be complacent, and any Canberrans that visited Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Monday 13 July and Wednesday 15 July through to Friday 17 July are legally required to self-quarantine immediately for 14 days from the date of visit.The territory is reminding people not to be complacent, and any Canberrans that visited Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Monday 13 July and Wednesday 15 July through to Friday 17 July are legally required to self-quarantine immediately for 14 days from the date of visit.
They’re also encouraged to get tested for Covid-19.They’re also encouraged to get tested for Covid-19.
I missed this earlier this morning, but a Victorian man was arrested on Friday afternoon in Renmark, South Australia.I missed this earlier this morning, but a Victorian man was arrested on Friday afternoon in Renmark, South Australia.
The 39-year-old man was found sleeping in his car near a cemetery at Renmark West after being refused entry to South Australia at 2.30am that morning.The 39-year-old man was found sleeping in his car near a cemetery at Renmark West after being refused entry to South Australia at 2.30am that morning.
He was arrested and charged with failing to comply with Covid-19 directions. He’s been refused bail and will appear in court on Monday.He was arrested and charged with failing to comply with Covid-19 directions. He’s been refused bail and will appear in court on Monday.
There were no new cases of coronavirus reported in Queensland on Saturday, but the state has reimposed a ban on pub-goers standing at bars or high tables, AAP reports.There were no new cases of coronavirus reported in Queensland on Saturday, but the state has reimposed a ban on pub-goers standing at bars or high tables, AAP reports.
The state health minister, Steven Miles, said the coronavirus social distancing rule, which means patrons must be seated when eating and drinking, would help venues remain open.The state health minister, Steven Miles, said the coronavirus social distancing rule, which means patrons must be seated when eating and drinking, would help venues remain open.
“We do not want to get to the point where we have to close down businesses again,” he told reporters on Saturday.“We do not want to get to the point where we have to close down businesses again,” he told reporters on Saturday.
“While I understand these new restrictions make doing business and having a drink a little bit harder it is not too much to sacrifice to keep the doors open and keep all those workers employed.”“While I understand these new restrictions make doing business and having a drink a little bit harder it is not too much to sacrifice to keep the doors open and keep all those workers employed.”
Queensland’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young, reinstated the health restriction late on Friday, causing vocal frustration among some venue operators, many of whom have only recently fully reopened due to Covid-19 rules.Queensland’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young, reinstated the health restriction late on Friday, causing vocal frustration among some venue operators, many of whom have only recently fully reopened due to Covid-19 rules.
The ruling means patrons must be seated when eating and drinking but can still order from the bar. The number of people allowed in venues will remain the same.The ruling means patrons must be seated when eating and drinking but can still order from the bar. The number of people allowed in venues will remain the same.
Here is some more on that party in Thredbo in New South Wales, via AAP.Here is some more on that party in Thredbo in New South Wales, via AAP.
NSW police about 11pm on Friday attended an area of bushland near Jindabyne where they discovered a large bonfire and lighting, as well as an amplified music set up and DJ.NSW police about 11pm on Friday attended an area of bushland near Jindabyne where they discovered a large bonfire and lighting, as well as an amplified music set up and DJ.
The majority of attendees fled into the bushland as authorities shut down the event, but the NSW police assistant commissioner, Scott Whyte, said a “significant number” of people were detained.The majority of attendees fled into the bushland as authorities shut down the event, but the NSW police assistant commissioner, Scott Whyte, said a “significant number” of people were detained.
“Every single person that’s been identified will be fined,” Whyte told reporters on Saturday.“Every single person that’s been identified will be fined,” Whyte told reporters on Saturday.
Germany has recorded an increase in coronavirus cases of 781 to 204,964 in total. The death toll has risen by 7 to 9,118.Germany has recorded an increase in coronavirus cases of 781 to 204,964 in total. The death toll has risen by 7 to 9,118.
Greg Hunt says there are 28 ADF teams on the ground in Melbourne assisting with contact tracing following up where health officials have not been able to contact someone who has tested positive.Greg Hunt says there are 28 ADF teams on the ground in Melbourne assisting with contact tracing following up where health officials have not been able to contact someone who has tested positive.
The Australian health minister, Greg Hunt, held a press conference around the same time as the Victorian press conference (because that is what usually ends up happening).
In Australia, there are now 13,950 confirmed cases and 145 deaths.
He says there is a “global acceleration” in the pandemic.
He said in Victoria it is stable, but there are significant numbers.
He says there needs to be a week of sustained lowering of numbers before success can be declared.
Brett Sutton says even though the mask requirements allow for people to not wear a mask when they’re running, he says if you can manage it you should.
He says he does know people who can run marathons wearing a mask, but the exemption is there for people who can’t manage it.
That’s the end of the presser.
Daniel Andrews says he is confident that authorities will put a stop to scams where people are calling up claiming to be contact tracers and demanding payment for tests.
“I think that anytime people behave in that sort of completely immoral, unconscionable way, that is a challenge. I am confident that between health department, Consumer Affairs Victoria and potentially Victoria police, if that is appropriate, we can deal with that.
“No member of the contact tracing team is going to be asking for your credit card or your bank details.”
Andrews says those refusing to wear masks are making selfish choices.
“They are not even in the interests of the people themselves, because it will just mean these rules and this sort of conflict, which is completely unnecessary, by the way, but these rules will be in place longer if people continue to behave that way.”
There was a well-publicised case yesterday of a coronavirus conspiracy theorist getting past a roadblock to get out of Melbourne to regional Victoria. She posted the video online, and Andrews said she could be fined if the police find her.
“Victoria police have that matter in hand ... They are working hard to find that person. And that person will either have a lawful reason to be in regional Victoria or that person won’t, and if they don’t, then Victoria police, I am confident, will fine them.”
Daniel Andrews is asked whether, given the ADF infection, people can be confident the ADF won’t be spreading coronavirus as they go door to door.
Andrews says the main reason ADF officers will be knocking on your door is if you test positive for the virus and you haven’t answered a call from health officials, but says the healthcare worker infection rate shows just how infectious coronavirus is and all precautions were being taken.
“Even with the full PPE, layer upon layer, no PPE can reduce the risk to zero. But ADF are playing a really important part, and we are very grateful to them.”
Brett Sutton says health authorities are continuing to watch the situation in regional Victoria carefully, where the lockdown is not currently applied, but there isn’t the kind of community transmission that has been seen in Melbourne. Most of the transmission has been within families.
Brett Sutton says the current numbers are “pretty stubborn to shift” but we need to see the impact of universal mask usage in the next few weeks.
He says a harder lockdown wouldn’t necessarily reduce numbers because the cases where outbreaks are occurring are the places that would remain open in a stage-four scenario – aged care, food distribution and production facilities and healthcare facilities.
He says it’s unlikely we will be opening up in the next two weeks, and cases won’t go to zero because the outbreaks are really difficult to manage.
“This will have quite a tail, even if we see numbers start to drop in the next week or two.”
Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton has outlined the known clusters and outbreaks:
183 cases linked to Al Taqwa College.
74 cases linked to St Basil’s home for the aged in Fawkner
71 cases linked to Estia Health in Ardeer
60 cases linked to Menarock life aged care in Essendon
40 cases linked to SDR health in Heidelberg
49 cases linked to Glendale aged care in Werribee
23 cases linked to Baptcare Wyndham Lodge in Werribee
22 cases linked to Regis Aged Care in Brighton
80 cases linked to Somerville retail services in Tottenham
45 cases now linked to the Australian lamb company in Colac.
21 cases linked to the Woolworth distribution centre in Mulgrave
10 cases linked to Star Track parcel distribution in Laverton
Seven cases linked to Bingo Recycling in West Melbourne
Five cases linked to staff at a KFC in Truganina
Five cases have been linked to Probe Group in Melbourne’s CBD
Two cases linked to D’orsonga Meats in Mechelen.
Two cases that are associated with Alfred Health Grand Chancellor hotel in Melbourne
One ADF officer who has tested positive who was supporting the Craigieburn testing
Daniel Andrews says he is proud to see how many Victorians are wearing masks, now that it is mandatory.
He said the mask edict was essentially stage-four restrictions.
“I cannot tell you how proud I was to travel in here this morning and see literally every single person on my journey into the office from the middle-ring suburbs in the south-east, wearing a mask,” he said. “It is just a fantastic thing.”
As foreshadowed yesterday, the Commonwealth government, with the Victorian government is acting to ensure casual staff in Aged care facilities aren’t working at more than one facility, Daniel Andrews announces.
The federal government is going to provide support for those workers who will be disadvantaged by the new policy.
Andrews says all workers are now required to wear personal protective equipment, too.