Victoria recorded 26 new local COVID-19 cases today, the highest daily number this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Importantly, 24 of the new cases have been in isolation for the entirety of their infectious period.
There are five cases in hospital and one in intensive care, but that's no change from yesterday. There are 133 total active cases across the state.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the lack of new exposure sites was a positive sign the lockdown was working.
"This shows that our combination of measures that have put together in our public health tool kit are starting to work in the direction that we want and are giving our contact tracers the time and the resources and the opportunity they need to get ahead of this virus," he said.
"Of the remaining two that weren't infectious during their entire period, one of the exposures was limited to a single transaction at a petrol station in regional Victoria, as they made their way back to Metropolitan Melbourne to isolate and that person did an outstanding job in following all the required measures to minimise transmission.
"The other is a new case related to the AAMI Park matters, and was in the community for one day in their infectious period ... that is the case that visited the Pahran Market and the Market Lane coffee location last Saturday morning between 9.40am and 11.15am.
"These two locations have now been listed as tier 1 sites this morning, and we use this opportunity to reach out to the over 900 people who checked in to those venues under the QR Code system."
IN OTHER NEWS:
It comes as 43,674 tests were returned and 14,230 vaccines were administered.
The current lockdown is scheduled to end at 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 27.
Struggling businesses will have access to bolstered financial payments after Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula outlined a lockdown support package for Victorian workers and business owners yesterday.
He announced a further $282.5 million in business grants.
The package includes total payments of up to $7200 for licensed hospitality venues, $25,000 for public events suppliers and $7000 for live performances.
An additional $3000 will be added to the $15,000 grants available for Alpine businesses.
Community sports organisations that have had their events cancelled will receive $2000.
Small businesses not registered for GST can claim Commonwealth disaster payments.
Mr Pakula said he understood the cash grants would not cover all financial losses, but the government would continue to support businesses through the lockdown extension.
"I understand that for businesses that are doing it really tough, every bit of support is important but it also doesn't cover all of their losses," he said.
"That's understood by the Government but we have provided $7 billion worth of support throughout this pandemic.
"We'll continue to support businesses as the need arises."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.standard.net.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines and newsletters.
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Tap here to open our Google News page.
- Join our Courts and Crime Facebook group and our dedicated Sport Facebook group
- Subscribe