'7000 cases': Dire prediction for Victoria if coronavirus lockdown was lifted

An eerie prediction has revealed what Victoria could look like if state’s current six-week lockdown was to be lifted.

On Thursday an additional 723 coronavirus cases were reported in Victoria and a record 13 deaths.

The deaths mean the state has recorded 44 fatalities in just five days, the majority of which are aged care related.

The fatalities mean Victoria is the first state to reach 100 deaths. The state has recorded 105 deaths, more than double NSW’s 51 since the pandemic began.

Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Thursday that every Victorian knew deep down if people did not play their part and do the right thing, then the lockdown would not end anytime soon.

“If we were to reopen, across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell shire today, then it will not be 700 cases a day. You can add a zero to that,” he said.

“And our hospitals will be overrun and we will be conducting more funerals.

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“Let’s not distract from the vast majority who are doing the right thing, but there are still some people who, for whatever reason – whether it be frustration, fatigue, whether it be some of those economic hardship issues – they are making the wrong choice and I just ask them, I am not looking to judge you ... Do not go to work if you have symptoms.”

Mr Andrews’ comments comes as it was revealed a Victorian still went to work despite having tested positive for the coronavirus.

Victoria could shadow US epicentre

The premier’s prediction of an additional 7000 new coronavirus cases a day in Victoria if the lockdown was lifted now strikes an eerily similar cord to the numbers reported in the US coronavirus epicentre of Florida.

Earlier this month the US state was reporting about 6000 new cases a day before reaching heights of 9000, then 12,000.

Florida reported 217 new deaths on Wednesday (local time), the second day in a row the state announced record increases in COVID-19 fatalities.

Florida also reported 9,446 new cases, bringing its total infections to over 451,000, the second highest in the country behind California. Florida's total death toll rose to 6,457, the eighth highest in the nation, according to a Reuters tally.

Florida was among six states on Tuesday that reported single-day records for coronavirus deaths.

Arkansas, California, Montana, Oregon and Texas also had their biggest one-day spikes in coronavirus fatalities since the pandemic started.

Total US deaths surpassed 150,000 on Wednesday, the highest level in the world and rising at the fastest rate since early June.

with Reuters

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