Covid Victoria: Deaths soar to outbreak record, 1571 new cases

• Victoria records 1571 new Covid cases, 13 deaths

• Victoria 'potentially' out of lockdown early, premier says

• Fears vulnerable babies at hospital

Victoria has recorded 1571 new cases of community-transmitted Covid-19, offering further hope the state has passed the peak of its daunting Delta outbreak.

The health department said on Wednesday the state has also suffered a further 13 deaths.

The death toll on Wednesday made it Victoria's deadliest day of the current outbreak.

It takes the toll from the current outbreak to 114.

There are now 19,861 active infections across the state.

Victoria 'potentially' out of lockdown early, premier says

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Tuesday if Victoria hits its 70 per cent vaccination target, slated for October 26, earlier than anticipated the state could come out of lockdown earlier than scheduled.

“It’s in the hands of the Victorian community," he said, according to 7News.

"If you bring forward your second dose, you could be part of that 70 per cent and getting us potentially out of lockdown earlier.”

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Almost 60 per cent of Victorians aged over 16 are now fully vaccinated, 59.8 per cent, while 86.7 per cent have received one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

Victoria recorded 1466 infections on Tuesday.

Fears for vulnerable babies at hospital

Dozens of vulnerable newborns have been placed at risk after an infected person visited a Melbourne children's hospital NICU ward.

A Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne spokeswoman has confirmed there was an "exposure in our NICU", with rapid antigen testing to be introduced for all parents and carers.

The Herald Sun reports 29 vulnerable newborns have potentially been exposed to the virus, with two babies considered tier one contacts.

RCH CEO Bernadette MacDonald told reporters on Wednesday the pandemic has proved "challenging" in allowing parents to see their sick children while being conscious about the spread of Covid.

Ms MacDonald added the antigen testing"is not fool-proof".

"It won't guarantee that we won't have another exposure but it helps minimise the risk of that happening," she said.

The hospital's cancer ward was exposed to the virus at the beginning of this month, after a patient's parent tested positive for Covid-19 after visiting over at least four days.

with AAP

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