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Coronavirus Australia: Victoria reports 1923 COVID-19 cases, 25 deaths

AAP & staff writersThe West Australian
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Pedestrians cross a street outside Flinders Street Station.
Camera IconPedestrians cross a street outside Flinders Street Station. Credit: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Victoria has recorded 1923 COVID-19 cases and 25 people have died with the virus, the highest daily death toll from the current outbreak.

The health department confirmed on Thursday the state is now managing 22,189 active infections.

There are 746 people in hospital, with the seven-day average at 780. Of those, 137 are in intensive care with 85 on a ventilator.

The latest deaths take the toll from the current outbreak to 272.

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About 77 per cent of Victorians aged 16 and over are now fully vaccinated.

There were 82,648 tests processed and 22,189 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at state-run hubs on Wednesday.

The latest figures come as authorities warn there’s a high risk of a thunderstorm asthma event in the state’s southwest, Wimmera and Mallee districts, while Melbourne may be moderately affected.

The combination of high grass pollen levels, severe thunderstorms and strong winds on Thursday means a “large number of people” may develop asthma symptoms quickly, the health department said.

“Our hospitals are experiencing significant demand due to COVID-19, so it’s important you stay well,” an alert said.

Those at risk are being advised to avoid being outdoors during storms and the winds that precede them, and remember to take preventative medication.

A thunderstorm asthma event in 2016 killed nine people and saw thousands more hospitalised.

Meanwhile, half a million people are being urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as statewide restrictions are set to ease once again.

From 6pm Friday, people in metropolitan Melbourne will be allowed to travel to the regions and interstate, masks will not be required outdoors, and non- essential retail stores will be able to open.

But about 500,000 Victorians have yet to receive their first vaccine dose, with only 83 per cent of people aged in their 20s getting a first jab.

NSW HAS 293 NEW COVID-19 CASES, TWO DEATHS

NSW has recorded 293 new local cases of COVID-19 and two deaths after a Sydney gym became the centre of a coronavirus cluster.

NSW Health said there were 89,678 tests undertaken in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday and 11 fewer new local cases than the previous day.

There are 381 COVID-19 patients in NSW hospitals, with 82 of them in intensive care.

Now 93.3 per cent of people 16 and older have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 86 per cent of adults are fully jabbed.

The death toll from the current outbreak, which began in mid-June, is 508.

Meanwhile there are 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 linked to City Gym, in Darlinghurst in the inner city, involving people who attended while infectious or acquired their infection at the facility, NSW Health said.

People who used the gym at certain times between October 18 and 23 or on the 25th are considered casual contacts and must immediately get tested and self- isolate until a negative result is received.

The highly anticipated move to unfettered travel to the regions is due to start on Monday after being delayed over lagging vaccination numbers outside Sydney.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has hinted it could happen sooner, saying his COVID-19 economic recovery committee will be examining “aspects of the roadmap” this week.

While on average more than 86 per cent of NSW residents aged over 16 are fully vaccinated, about 60 regions have less than 85 per cent coverage and 14 have a vaccine uptake of less than 75 per cent.

UNSW epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws has called for a “sensible” delay - at least four weeks - to travel to the regions.

STATE-BY-STATE CASE BREAKDOWN

NSW - 293 new local cases. two deaths

VIC - 1923 new local cases, 25 deaths

ACT - TBA

WA - TBA

QLD - TBA

SA - TBA

TAS - TBA

NT - TBA

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