World / Covid 19

Victoria has 208 cases, 17 more deaths as state struggles with lockdown fatigue

13:29 pm on 23 August 2020

Victoria has recorded another 208 cases of Covid-19 and 17 deaths, taking the state's death toll to 415.

Photo: AFP

Premier Daniel Andrews is warning Victorians the state is still a long way off from easing stage 4 restrictions, despite today being the half way mark of the six-week lockdown.

The latest figures come after two new outbreaks in Melbourne were revealed on Saturday in industries that have been allowed to continue operating under stage 4 restrictions.

Racing Victoria locked down seven Cranbourne stables linked to a staff member who tested positive to Covid-19.

The organisation tested close contacts at the Cranbourne Turf Club on Saturday with results expected to be known today.

Production of reality TV show The Masked Singer Australia was suspended in Melbourne yesterday after several crew members tested positive to Covid-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement on Sunday that seven people linked to the set had now tested positive to coronavirus.

The entire production team including the cast and crew are isolating.

The rate of new infections in Victoria has continued to slow, with 179 cases recorded on Friday - the lowest daily increase in five weeks - and 182 on Saturday.

The number of people in hospital is also stabilising, although 36 remained in intensive care on Saturday.

Data shows Victorians struggling to remain at home during lockdown

Data supplied by the State Government shows Victorians are struggling with lockdown fatigue.

While residents in Melbourne and regional Victoria are staying home during the week, they are starting to creep outdoors on the weekend.

The data showed there was a spike in people using public transport in Melbourne last weekend, compared with the previous weekend.

Most metropolitan local government areas recorded a rise in public transport use last Saturday, particularly in Port Phillip that saw train and tram use up 37 per cent and bus use up 25 per cent.

The age cohort that caught public transport the most was senior Myki cardholders with a 20 percent increase compared to 11 per cent for students and 2 percent for full-fare travellers.

Andrews will hold a press conference on the latest coronavirus figures at 11:15am.

- ABC