Victoria records highest number of daily Covid cases EVER
Victoria has recorded its highest number of daily Covid cases ever with 1,838 new infections announced on Friday.
Five more people have died after contracting the virus, taking the death toll from the current outbreak to 75.
It is the ninth straight day the state has reported more than 1000 cases, with active infections soaring to 16,823.
In the past 24 hours, 36,600 vaccines were administered and 77,554 test results were received. On Thursday, Victoria recorded 1,638 new Covid cases.
The new figures come as the state faces an anxious wait for Covid-19 restrictions to ease, while watching NSW enjoy new freedoms as cases decline.
Premier Daniel Andrews said this week daily cases were "higher than we'd like them to be" and urged Melburnians and regional residents in lockdown to follow the rules for a couple more weeks.
He said he had no plans to alter Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown.
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Some 55 per cent of Victorians aged above 16 are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, while 84 per cent have received their first dose.
Once 70 per cent of the state's population above 16 is fully vaccinated, expected around October 26, Melbourne's curfew will ease, the travel limit will be expanded and venues can open outdoors to the fully vaccinated.
But Victorians will have to wait until the 80 per cent double-dose target for significant changes, forecast for November 5, including Melbourne hospitality reopening for seated service and visitors to be allowed in homes.
Victoria's Covid cases still yet to peak
Despite the soaring number of infections, the state has not yet seen the worst of their current Covid outbreak, according to the Burnet Institute's modelling.
Data shows new infections could reach up to 2,900 between October 19 to 31.
Dr Katherine Gibney from the Doherty Institute said the state should expect more cases in the coming weeks, putting strain on the health system.
"The modelling does show the numbers will go up in the next couple of weeks before they start to plateau and turn around," she told Nine's Today Show on Friday.
"There is no doubt there is a strain on the hospital system already and that is going to get worse but it is being managed in terms of spreading cases around amongst Victorian hospitals."
Even without any easing of restrictions, there is a moderate risk of exceeding health system capacity, according to the Burnet Institute.
With AAP
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