Big drop in Covid-19 cases in Victoria

Victoria recorded its lowest new case total in three weeks this morning.  After a spike in cases yesterday, Victoria has recorded a big drop in cases today with 278 new infections and eight deaths. The last time Victoria had a case number this low was on July 29, when there were 266 new cases.  

It signals a big drop in cases and deaths from yesterday’s total of 410 new infections and 21 deaths – which marked the state’s deadliest ever day.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd says Australians should be "cautiously optimistic" that Victoria's lockdown is working.

"We have seen the total number of new cases continue to decline over the past week since stage four restrictions were introduced in Melbourne – stage three restrictions right across Victoria," Professor Kidd told Today.

"But it is still early in the process. I think we have to wait and see what happens over the coming week just to make sure that downward slope continues over the days ahead."

The last time Victoria had a case number this low was on July 29, when there were 266 new cases. Today’s total marks a dramatic decrease from last Wednesday’s peak of 725 new cases. The state recorded 331 new cases on Tuesday and 322 new cases on Monday.

Meanwhile as cases in regional Victorian grow, calls are mounting for stricter controls on the movement of Melburnians throughout the regions.

Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday there had been some "increases of concern to us" in Geelong (179 cases), Ballarat (22 cases) and Bendigo (53 cases).

"They are stable and they're very low numbers, but coming off such a low base, any additional cases are a concern to us," Mr Andrews said.

One of the nation's leading epidemiologists says it looks like Victoria is on its way to recovery.

Professor Catherine Bennett, who's the Chair of Epidemiology at Deakin University in Melbourne, said it "really looks like we are past the peak now".

She said that “all being well” the state will see much milder restrictions by Christmas.