21 new cases recorded as Melbourne 'unlikely' to exit lockdown this week

Victoria recorded 21 locally acquired cases in with all cases linked to recent outbreaks which extended the state’s latest lockdown. Of today’s total number, only 11 were in quarantine during their entire infectious periods.

Melbourne continues to record new Covid cases as nine mystery coronavirus cases across Victoria with the health officials “very concerned” about the situation.

“We are very concerned about what we’re seeing across Melbourne,” Victoria’s Department of Health deputy secretary Kate Matson said this morning (Saturday).

Cases from the City of Melbourne, Glenroy, Melton South, Middle Park, Newport, West Footscray, West Brunswick and Wyndham Vale do not have identified sources of acquisition, Ms Matson said.

"What we have seen as a result of this growing number every day is that we have multiple outbreaks with multiple exposure sites, right across Melbourne," Health Minister Martin Foley said.

Nine cases in Victoria are currently "under investigation" and  they're mystery cases, where the origin of infection is not yet known.

A health expert Professor Tony Blakely has given a bleak prediction for Victoria, warning the lockdown is failing and there's "quite a way to go" before freedom is granted.

Speaking to 7 News, he said cases were not restricted to those in quarantine, despite the ongoing lockdown.

 “That’s not what we see, so I fear we’ve got quite a way to go with this outbreak yet,” he said.

 “I’ve got a bad feeling about this one because of the fact there’s those mystery cases out there.

 “I think it’s most unlikely we’ll be out of lockdown by next Thursday.”