Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has just fronted his daily media conference to announce the crushing news that the state has recorded 725 new COVID-19 cases and lost 15 lives to the deadly virus since yesterday – the largest number of deaths in a single 24-hour period for the state.
“I’m very sorry to have to report that the total number of fatalities due to this global pandemic is now 162 Victorians, that is 15 more since our last update,” the Premier said.
“I’ll provide you as much detail as I can. One male in his 30s, three males and one female in their 70s, three males, three females in their 80s. Three males, one female in their 90s.”
He said of the 15 deaths, 12 were linked to aged care outbreaks.
“If we can provide further information to you, then, of course, we will subject to privacy and obviously prioritising the grief and loss that those families will be experiencing.”
“Can I send my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to each of those families.”
“This will be a terrible time and any and all support we can provide to you we will and we are with you in this very difficult time.”
The Premier also announced today the cancellation of elective surgery other than for Category 1 and 2 patients.
“We can’t have a situation where we are making the sickest patients wait longer because we are treating wholly worthy and important conditions, but not necessarily time-critical conditions,” he said.
“We can’t put those ahead of people who need that urgent care.
“This is a regrettable decision but it is very important one in order to preserve sufficient capacity in our entire health system.”
