Victoria’s coronavirus death toll has hit a tragic new high, with 21 deaths confirmed on Wednesday.
Along with the grim record for fatalities confirmed by Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services, the state had 410 new COVID infections – a three-day high.
Victoria’s virus toll has risen to 267 – with more than 100 deaths in the past week.
Tweet from @VicGovDHHS
State health authorities had warned deaths would continue to rise given the number of people in hospital with the virus.
As of Tuesday, 650 Victorians were in hospital and 43 of those in intensive care. There were also 1838 active cases relating to aged care homes, where many of the recent deaths have been linked.
Victoria’s coronavirus cases hit a daily record of 725 last Wednesday, and have fallen since.
Melbourne is subject to a strict Stage 4 lockdown, including a nightly curfew, until mid-September. Regional Victoria faces Stage 3 restrictions until at least the same time.
Premier Daniel Andrews will hold a daily briefing later on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Victorian Jobs Minister Martin Pakula, Treasurer Tim Pallas and controversial economist Gigi Foster will be among those to appear via video link before a parliamentary COVID-19 inquiry.
Mr Andrews was grilled about his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee’s COVID-19 Inquiry on Tuesday.
The failed scheme is believed to be responsible for the state’s second wave of COVID-19, which has proved so deadly and led to the nation’s toughest lockdown.
Mr Andrews said the Australian Defence Force hadn’t been offered to guard the hotels when the program was introduced, despite reports to the contrary.
But federal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds insists ADF support was offered to Victoria “on multiple occasions”.
Victorian opposition leader Michael O’Brien accused Mr Andrews of lying to parliament and Victorians, labelling his comments a “dishonest attempt to cover up” the scandal.
Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kym Peake said her department, along with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and others, were responsible for the program’s governance.
A leaked video published by the Herald Sun shows Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions bureaucrats congratulating themselves for setting up the hotel quarantine program in less than 24 hours.
Mr Pakula is responsible for that department. Asked on Tuesday if he would demand Mr Pakula’s resignation for the bungled program, Mr Andrews replied “no”.
A separate inquiry, headed by retired judge Jennifer Coate, is scheduled will start public hearings on August 17.
-with AAP
The post Victoria’s deadliest day yet: 21 virus deaths, 410 more cases appeared first on The New Daily.
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