Victoria records 357 new coronavirus cases and five more deaths just after suffering its deadliest day since the pandemic began - as catastrophic crisis looms in aged-care homes
- Victoria has announced 357 new coronavirus cases and five deaths on Saturday
- At least 500 cases have been linked to aged care homes across 38 facilities
- A staff member at and aged care home in east Melbourne has tested positive
- Victoria recorded its deadliest COVID-19 day on Friday with a total seven deaths
Victoria has recorded 357 new coronavirus cases and another five deaths on Saturday.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced just 37 coronavirus cases came from known outbreaks and 320 have unknown sources.
'I'm very sad to have to report a further five Victorians have passed away, bringing the total to 61,' Mr Andrews said.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced 357 new coronavirus cases on Saturday after another nursing home reported an outbreak (medical staff nursing home in Fawkner pictured)
Victoria Police and Australian Defence Force members (pictured) are seen patrolling the streets of Melbourne to enforce coronavirus rules
The state also reported five new deaths after recording seven deaths on Friday (medical staff transporting patients away from an east Melbourne facility pictured)
Victoria has announced 357 new coronavirus cases (pictured) after clusters in aged care facilities continue to grow at an alarming rate
The St Basil's Homes for the Aged in Fawkner, north Melbourne, has recorded 73 coronavirus cases and emergency services have begun removing patients on a case-by-case basis
Four women each aged in their sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties, have passed away as well as a man in his nineties.
'We send our condolences and our best wishes to each of those families, this will be a very difficult and challenging time for them,' Mr Andrews said.
The national death toll has risen to 145 and Victoria now has a total of 3,995 active coronavirus cases.
Mr Andrews also revealed that 229 Victorians were in hospital and 42 of those are receiving intensive care.
At least 500 active coronavirus cases have emerged from aged care settings across 38 different homes.
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Infections are evenly split between staff and residents and at least 313 health workers have the virus.
Mr Andrews said he was working with the Federal Government and voiced particular concern over aged care homes that posed a 'really challenging setting'.
'We see that both in terms of the number of cases and also the number of people who are by the very nature of these settings frail and aged.
'It is a very, very challenging environment, and I want to send my support and assurance to all families and staff, all of those involved in aged care, that many different steps have been taken, processes have been put in place,' he said.
There are now fears that the deadly respiratory virus will cause a catastrophic crisis in aged care homes, as another centre in Box Hill reported an infection.
An employee at a facility in Box Hill, east Melbourne, has tested positive for coronavirus.
Uniting AgeWell Box Hill is conducting a deep clean after the staff member last worked on July 17 the Herald Sun reported.
The employee was wearing a mask and had not been in direct contact with any of the residents.
Chief executive officer Andrew Kinnersly said the centre was deep cleaning two wings and staff areas in a letter to the facility's families.
He said the risk to residents was relatively low and all staff and residents would be tested for coronavirus.
'We know that you will be understandably concerned and anxious on hearing this news.
'We have been in contact with the Department of Health and the Public Health Unit and have requested COVID-19 testing be undertaken for all residents and staff as a precautionary measure,' the letter read.
Members of the ADF and Victoria police (pictured) enforce mandatory face coverings in Melbourne and can deliver $200 on-the-spot fines
Medical staff are seen preparing to transport people from the St Basil's Home for the Aged Care in Fawkner on Saturday (pictured)
The aged care home will remain closed to all visitors pending the results.
'All infection control measures will remain in place until test results are known,' Mr Kinnersly said.
St Basil's Home for the Aged in Fawkner, north Melbourne, has been inundated by 74 cases and residents were shifted out by emergency teams on a case-by-case basis on Saturday.
On Thursday, the DHHS said there were 447 cases linked to 35 aged care sites that have active cases (St Basil's Home for the Aged Care in Fawkner pictured)
Victoria Police and members of the army (pictured) were deployed around Melbourne on Saturday to enforce the mandatory face covering rule
There have also been 68 cases of coronavirus linked to Estia Health home in Ardeer, 44 cases connected to Glendale Aged Care in Werribee and 37 linked to Arcare Aged Care in Craigieburn.
Australia recorded 300 new COVID-19 cases on Friday and 300 of those were linked to Victoria.
A top-level meeting was held with nursing home operators on Friday night, amid growing concern for the health of older Australians during the coronavirus pandemic.
The need for a national response to safeguard elderly Victorians was highlighted after it was revealed eight of the 12 fatalities in the state on Thursday and Friday were aged care residents.
Metropolitan Melbourne is currently in a stage 3 coronavirus lockdown and residents may only leave their homes for essential reasons (Medical staff in Fawkner pictured)
It is mandatory to wear a mask outdoors in Metropolitan Melbourne (staff at Fawkner pictured)
A police officer and member of the ADF seen patrolling in Melbourne (pictured)
The exceptions for not wearing a mask include exercise and medical conditions such as asthma (a medical staff member wearing personal protective equipment pictured)
People are seen wearing masks as they walk along the Morell Bridge in Melbourne on Friday
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said coronavirus cases were also identified at five new aged case facilities on Friday.
These include: Outlook Gardens aged care facility in Dandenong North; BlueCross Riverlea in Avondale Heights; Villa Maria Catholic Homes St Bernadette's Aged Care Residence in Sunshine North; Fronditha Care in St Albans; and Japara Yarra West in Yarraville.
On Thursday, the DHHS said there were 447 cases linked to 35 aged care sites that have active cases.
Metropolitan Melbourne is currently in a strict stage three lockdown where residents may only leave their homes for essential reasons.
These include exercise, access healthcare and purchasing supplies.
It is also mandatory to wear a face covering outdoors in Melbourne unless you are exercising or have a valid medical condition.
Anyone failing to cover their face is subject to a $200 fine.
Members of the defence force have been seen patrolling the streets of Melbourne to enforce coronavirus rules.
Pictured: Signage at the entrance at the front of the Glendale Aged care facility in Werribee. There are currently 44 COVID-19 cases linked to the facility
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