Michaela Meade
Three Hume residents have died with COVID-19, as the northern suburbs recorded over 60 per cent of today’s new cases.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced today that a man in his 70s, a man in his 80s, and a woman in her 90s – all from the Hume municipality – have died with the virus.
“I extend, on behalf of the government and all Victorians, our deepest sympathies and condolences to their families,” Mr Andrews said.
“This will be a very difficult time for them.”
COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the geographical breakdown of cases was a “very similar pattern” to recent days, with the northern suburbs recording 468 of the 766 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Hume recorded 264 of the new cases of the virus.
“That’s a 60 per cent increase in the last four days,” Mr Weimar said.
“We’re doing a lot of work with the local community to see what we can do to support them to reduce that rate of onward transmission.”
Mr Weimar said Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, and Meadow Heights were suburbs of concern within Hume.
The Meadow Heights aged care facility, which has 22 cases, including one new case, was of concern, Mr Weimar said.
“We have moved 11 residents [from the Meadow Heights facility] into a hospital setting, to provide effective care for them with both COVID and other underlying conditions,” Mr Weimar said.
A Somerton wholesale food and supermarket site, which now has 18 cases linked to the outbreak, including three new cases, was also identified as an area of concern.
“I’d encourage anybody who’s been in and around the Somerton area… please come forward and get tested,” Mr Weimar said.
To find out where to get tested: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
To book your COVID-19 vaccination: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment
