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Coronavirus Victoria: Death toll climbs to 26 after two people die

A man and woman, both in their 80s, have died of coronavirus in a Victorian hospital as the state announces 270 new cases.

The state’s death toll has climbed to 26 with Australia’s total number of deaths now at 110.

New cases in the state have been in the triple-digits for nine consecutive days as Melbourne Metro and the Mitchell Shire enter the second week of a six-week stage three lockdown.

People being tested for coronavirus
Hundreds of Victorians are expected to be hospitalised with coronavirus within the next fortnight as the state struggles to contain coronavirus cases. Source: AAP

Hundreds of Victorians are expected to be hospitalised with coronavirus within the next fortnight, the state's chief health officer has warned.

"It's not as high as our biggest single day, but we haven't turned the corner yet," Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton told reporters on Tuesday.

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 in Victoria has also shot up from 72 on Monday to 85 on Tuesday.

Of the state's 26 intensive care patients, 21 are on ventilators to help them breathe.

Professor Sutton said with 1803 active cases in Victoria, he expects more people to end up in hospital with the virus.

"There's often 10 per cent to 20 per cent of all coronavirus infections who require hospitalisation, so that's a couple of hundred individuals at least (who) will require hospitalisation in the next couple of weeks," he said.

A special ward has been set up at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for elderly coronavirus patients.

with AAP

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