Covid: Victoria reports record cases and deaths in darkest day yet
Victoria has reported a further 950 locally acquired Covid-19 cases as experts warn the state's Delta peak could be twice as large as NSW's.
The Department of Health announced a further seven Covid-related deaths, taking the outbreak's death toll to 36.
The latest cases are a daily record since the pandemic began while the deaths are a daily record for the current Delta outbreak.
There were 61,322 coronavirus tests processed and 34,028 vaccine doses administered at state-run hubs on Tuesday.
NSW's outbreak has shown consistent signs of decline since its peak of 1,599 daily cases but Deakin University epidemiology chair Professor Catherine Bennett believes infections will reach much higher levels in Victoria before a similar trend occurs.
She told the Herald Sun cases could reach 3000 per day in about four weeks' time.
Former World Health Organisation epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman told the publication it was still unclear if cases would fall in a way NSW's have.
ANU Infectious diseases physician Professor Peter Collignon said warmer weather and improved vaccine rates could help in preventing such a peak.
Almost 79 per cent of Victorians have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while more than 48 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Illegal gathering 'regrettable'
It comes as the Latrobe Valley region has been plunged into a seven-day lockdown to curb a growing COVID-19 outbreak believed to be linked to a household gathering.
Residents in the City of Latrobe, which encompasses the Gippsland towns of Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, entered lockdown at 11.59pm on Tuesday. They were notified via a press release about 6.30pm.
They are now living under the same restrictions as those in Melbourne, with the exception of curfew.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the illegal social gathering, held over the AFL grand final weekend, was "regrettable".
With AAP
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