Coronavirus: Victorian Premier's strong words as 66 new cases reported
Victoria has recorded 66 new coronavirus cases, with 442 active infections across the state.
Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters 17 were connected to contained outbreaks while a single case was linked to hotel quarantine.
Twenty cases are the result of routine testing and 28 of the 66 cases remain under investigation.
Mr Andrews said 23 Victorians were in hospital with six of those in intensive care.
The latest figure comes after Victoria recorded 77 new cases on Thursday.
Mr Andrews said he is grateful for the residents who have been tested and again pleaded with Victorians to come forward and get tested to help the state get on top of the virus.
“Coming forward and getting tested if you are unwell, coming forward and getting tested even if you have got the mildest of symptoms, and of course answering yes if somebody comes to your door and offers you a test,” he said.
Health Minister slams traveller with symptoms who journeyed interstate
Man who flew to virus-free area from Melbourne hotspot tests positive
“It’s a massive contribution you can make towards us better understanding where the virus is and then putting in place strategies to contain it.”
About 24,000 tests were undertaken on Thursday, with Victoria still awaiting the results.
The state has conducted more than 880,000 since the beginning of the pandemic on January 1.
Mr Andrews urged people in the coronavirus hotspots as well as the entire state to continue to follow the rules.
“It is frustrating, I know it is very challenging and people would prefer not to be in the circumstances we are in. I understand that,” he said.
“We desperately want this to be over. [We’ve] got to get on top of this virus and these unacceptably high case numbers.”
10,000 people refuse coronavirus testing
Victoria’s Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said more than 10,000 people had “disappointingly” refused testing in the state.
“That might be for a range of reasons, including that they may have already been tested in a different location – we are analysing that data to see exactly why people are refusing – but it is concerning that some people believe that coronavirus is a conspiracy or that it won't impact on them,” she said.
“So what I want to stress here is that coronavirus is a very contagious virus.
“It can go through your family very quickly, it can affect your neighbours, your loved ones, and your entire community.
“So for those individuals in those communities who have not yet been tested, we are urging them to get tested as quickly as possible.”
Premier will not rule out further coronavirus lockdown
Mr Andrews told reporters on Friday he would not rule out locking down more postcodes than the 10 hotspots already under strict restrictions due to a spike in cases.
“I have to try to be as upfront as I can and saying I cannot rule out other suburbs being shut down,” he said.
He added if people kept following the rules and getting tested the state may be able to contain current outbreaks.
“But I can’t rule out further restrictions ... I certainly can’t rule out other postcodes ... being pulled into this,” he said.
“Ultimately if you’ve got unsubstantially high case numbers in a given geographical area, then that’s not a matter of running a commentary on that postcode or the people who live and work there, it is nothing like that at all, it is simply a statement of fact that you have got a problem and you need to take really significant action to pull this up.”
Mr Andrews said he was not announcing any new lockdowns on Friday, but simply said “you can’t rule it out” because data changes from day to day.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
