Covid Victoria: 21 local cases, alarming streak in latest outbreak
Victoria has recorded 21 locally acquired Covid-19 cases a day after Premier Daniel Andrews announced Melbourne's lockdown would be extended by another week.
The Department of Health revealed six of the cases have spent time infectious in the community while a further four are currently unlinked to existing clusters.
Thursday's total marks the first time in the month-long outbreak that the daily case total has been 20 or higher for three consecutive days.
On Wednesday, Victoria recorded 20 new local cases, five of which were unlinked and six infectious while in the community.
The city's lockdown was set to end today, however as cases continue to move around the community, Mr Andrews has pushed back the end date to at least August 19.
Protesters again took to the streets of Melbourne's CBD to voice their anger over the move, with 73 people arrested for offences associated with the protest and for breaching the chief health officer's directions, Victoria Police said.
Some 45,408 tests were processed in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, while 25,418 Victorians were vaccinated at state-run hubs.
Exposure sites continue to grow, Qantas flight added
There are more than 13,800 close contacts isolating, while the number of exposure sites has surged to almost 350.
Qantas flight QF471 from Sydney to Melbourne on Monday was listed as a 'tier-one' exposure site after a COVID-19 case was on board.
Covid NSW: Man in his 30s dies from Covid-19 as outbreak spreads
Unmasked man accused of punching female Covid tester in the head
It is unclear if the case was in the community while infectious, given most arrivals from Sydney are required to quarantine.
Ten new tier-two sites have been identified at Melbourne Paediatric Specialists in Parkville, next to the Royal Children's Hospital, after a healthcare worker attended while infectious on Monday.
Secret Sofa in Cheltenham, in Melbourne's southeast, is also listed as a tier-one site for August 5 from 11.45am to 12.45pm.
The furniture store is some 50km away from Melbourne's western suburbs, where the majority of infections and exposure sites are located.
Support for businesses affected by the lockdown extension is expected to be announced on Thursday.
It will be the third round of funding in as many weeks, with $800 million in support already announced.
With AAP
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.
