Hopes second wave at its peak

PUBLIC health projections say Victoria may have reached its peak for daily coronavirus infections but the state’s Chief Health Officer has warned the numbers remain volatile.

It comes after a record 532 cases on Monday and six deaths, and warnings that hospital admissions will continue to rise after consecutive weeks of high confirmed cases.

Professor Brett Sutton said data suggested the state’s figures were close to being driven down but current outbreaks, including those at aged-care homes, were still a concern.

“We have to see what happens in coming days,” he said. “But driving that effective reproduction number down below one is the thing that will start to see numbers drop.

“And as numbers drop, outbreaks drop. The numbers can increase very significantly in a very short period of time even as community transmission might be coming down … we have to keep at it every day.”

Outbreaks at distribution centres and other businesses across the city continued to grow on Monday.

Prof Sutton urged Victorians to consider the consequences of each increase in daily infections. “It is causing an increase in hospitalisation of scores of people,” he said.

“Those individuals from today will be hospitalised in the next fortnight. So there will be challenges for hospital admissions and there will be increasing challenges for those who require ICU.

“I think we’ll see an increase in ICU cases in the next couple of weeks that will be more reflective of total active cases.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said some people with symptoms were still going to work despite warnings, and urged all Victorians to stay home.

“This is the biggest driver, it’s not the only issue, but it is the biggest driver of transmission,” he said.

“You can’t go to work if you feel sick even mildly. You’ve got to come forward and get tested.

“Doesn’t matter what industry, what sector you work in – if you are going to work with symptoms, if you’re going to work when you’re sick, then you will inevitably be spreading this virus.”

Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire are in the middle of a six-week lockdown including mandatory wearing of face masks and strict working from home.