Live Breaking News: Victoria covid lockdown and Melbourne case numbers - NEWS.com.au

An extension to Melbourne’s lockdown is likely to be announced this morning, as the state’s cases have risen by 20 today.

Of the 20 new locally-acquired cases, 15 have been linked to current outbreaks and 5 are still under investigation. 14 have been in quarantine throughout their infectious periods.

That’s the same number of new cases we saw in Victoria yesterday.

Five of yesterday’s cases were active in the community and the Victorian government is looking to drive that number to zero over consecutive days before opening Melbourne back up.

With that in mind, it remains unlikely that the lockdown will lift on Thursday.

The Herald Sun understands the lockdown extension could last until at least early next week.

Follow our live coverage below. You can find our NSW Covid blog here.

Live Updates

Although cases haven't dropped in Victoria there's a detail in the figure that is encouraging.

That fact that 70 per cent of the new cases have been in quarantine throughout their infectious periods is good news.

That's the figure the Victorian government is trying to drive up to 100 per cent over consecutive days before it eases up restrictions.

That percentage was zero on Sunday, 9 per cent on Monday and 25 per cent on Tuesday.

So although case numbers haven't decreased today, there is a positive trend.

🔵🏠 14 / 20 VIC cases in iso for *full* infectious period
Confirmed iso % –
6/8 – 0%
7/8 – 0%
8/8 – 0%
9/8 – 9%
10/8 – 25%
11/8 – 70%#CovidVic #covid19vic #covid19aus
— Juliette O'Brien (@juliette_io) August 10, 2021

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The leaks were once again correct. We have 20 new cases in Victoria.

Of the 20 new locally-acquired cases, 15 have been linked to current outbreaks and 5 are still under investigation. 14 have been in quarantine throughout their infectious periods.

There were also 23,811 vaccine doses administered yesterday – bringing the total in the state to 1,842,599.

There were 41,571 tests received.

Reported yesterday: 20 new local cases and no new cases acquired overseas.
– 23,811 vaccine doses were administered
– 41,571 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W #COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/yKBkbFxvRB
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) August 10, 2021

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We've heard that the NSW and Queensland press conferences will be held at 11am and 10am respectively.

We haven't heard about Victoria yet, but we will keep you updated.

We're still waiting on the official figures too.

There have been some rumblings from journalists with contacts in the Victorian health department.

They say we're expecting to see 20 new cases recorded today.

There's no details about linkage or whether they were in the community.

That's the same number of new cases we saw in Victoria yesterday.

Even if all the new cases are linked and in isolation it remains unlikely that the lockdown will lift on Thursday.

Hearing today’s number is 20 cases
— Rafael Epstein (@Raf_Epstein) August 10, 2021

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A student at a catholic primary school in North Melbourne has tested positive to coronavirus – sending hundreds into isolation after.

St Michael’s Primary School principal Denise Hussey said in a statement sent to parents and carers yesterday that the school was closed until further notice to conduct contact tracing and do a deep clean.

“I understand this news will be concerning for many of you. I want to assure you we are doing everything we can to contain and slow the spread of the virus and ensure the health and safety of the whole school community,” she said.

There are now more than 290 exposure sites in Victoria, including more listings for CS Square shopping centre in Caroline Springs.

More sites have been added across the city's west and north-west, as well as the residential tower at 126 Racecourse Road in Flemington.

At least two exposure sites are listed on the eastern side of the city: Rapid Laser in Bayswater North and Brighton Mazda.

A doctor who works at Royal Children’s and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear hospitals as well as in a private clinic is among yesterday's new cases.

It's understood they did not work at either hospital while infectious.
However, investigations are underway to determine if they worked next door at the private clinics on 48 Flemington Road while infectious.

It is believed the doctor caught the virus through a household contact linked to the Mount Alexander College outbreak.

Authorities are working to determine if there are any public exposure sites or close contacts.

Hundreds of workers at Caroline Springs Square Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s outer west have been forced to isolate after all on-site staff were deemed close contacts.

Overnight, health authorities advised anyone who worked at the centre between August 2 to August 5 must get tested and isolate for 14 days.

Visitors to the centre on August 6 at any time must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received after it was deemed a Tier 2 exposure site.

The new advice is expected to impact hundreds of workers, with the centre housing an Aldi, Coles and Target.

Victoria's vaccine rollout is really ramping up with 22,670 doses given out at state-commissioned services on Monday.

The total number of doses administered through these services is 1,818,753.

Victorians aged between 18 and 39 can attend a state-run vaccination centre to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine should they provide informed consent.

On Monday, 2,366 first doses of AstraZeneca were administered at state-run centres. The equivalent figure for Monday 2 August was 719.

A pop-up vaccination centre at Al-Taqwa College has concluded operations after administering 1,252 doses.

This pop-up will move to another location in the Wyndham area to support students, families and staff at nearby affected schools.

There are 333,000 vaccine appointments booked at state-run centres over the coming month, 101,000 of which are for AstraZeneca doses.

Some 319,000 vaccine appointments are available over the coming month, 116,000 of which are for AstraZeneca doses.

There are now 50 open access vaccination centres operating across Victoria.

There are now more than 12,000 active primary close contacts across Victoria.

Almost 2000 are linked to Heathdale Christian College, and 88 per cent have returned a negative test.
Over 1500 are linked to Islamic College of Melbourne, and 85 per cent have returned a negative test.
Over 1,100 are linked to CS Square, and 67 per cent have returned a negative test.
Over 800 are linked to Newport cluster of sites (including the football club), and 77 per cent have returned a negative test.
Over 500 are linked to Ilim College, and 73 per cent have returned a negative test.
Over 100 are linked to Warringah Park School, and 88 per cent have returned a negative test.