Covid Victoria: Cases surge by 246 infections as vaccination blitz begins
Victoria’s Covid crisis has escalated with another 246 cases of the highly-infectious Delta variant reported on Monday – the highest daily jump of the current outbreak.
The Department of Health confirmed 121 of the new infections are linked to known cases and outbreaks. That leaves 125 cases with an unknown source.
In the 24 hours to Monday morning, 42,258 tests were processed and 26,955 Victorians received a vaccine dose at a state-run hub.
The huge spike follows 183 new infections on Sunday, bringing the state’s total number of active cases now to 1,619.
Victoria will remain under tough lockdown restrictions until at least 70 percent of eligible residents receive their first vaccine dose.
The state reached a huge milestone on Sunday, hitting 60 per cent first dose coverage and is expected to surpass the 70 per cent target in mid September, sooner than the government initially anticipated.
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School vaccination blitz begins
The concerning surge in cases comes as a vaccination blitz for senior school students begins.
Priority vaccination bookings opened for Year 12 students, teachers, exam supervisors and assessors on Monday, as part of a 10-day campaign.
The state government wants all Year 12 students vaccinated with at least one dose before their final exams.
Victoria’s latest outbreak is impacting a younger demographic than last year's second wave, with 91 per cent of the 183 new cases reported on Sunday under the age of 50.
with AAP
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