Victoria to announce more than 400 new coronavirus cases and several deaths

Victoria to announce more than 400 new coronavirus cases and several deaths as the state begins draconian stage four lockdown

Victoria is set to announce more than 400 new coronavirus cases, as residents hunker down for the unprecedented six week lockdown.

Several more deaths are also understood to be being announced when Premier Daniel Andrews addresses the public on Tuesday morning. 

Mr Andrews is also expected to announce harsher penalties for people who break lockdown orders.

Authorities announced a Stage 4 lockdown on Sunday and a strict 8pm curfew was introduced in Melbourne to stem the spread of the deadly respiratory infection.

On Monday, Victoria recorded a further 429 cases, while 671 were identified on Sunday.

‘As heartbreaking as it is to close down places of employment … that is what we have to do in order to stop the spread of this wildly infectious virus, this deadly virus,’ Mr Andrews said on Monday. 

Early estimates indicate about 250,000 people will be directly impacted by the tough lockdown, which will last at least six weeks. 

Those who lose their jobs in the coming days will join about 250,000 more in the state who were stood down earlier in the pandemic, and a further 500,000 who are working from home.  

More to follow. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk