Victoria Records 71 New Covid Cases Amid Fears Hospital Staff At Risk

Victoria recorded 71 new Covid cases on Monday with 49 of those linked to known outbreaks.

The state's highest daily increase since the Delta strain hit our shores, the number of active cases now resides at 494.

The Victoria Briefing

Meantime, protective measures for emergency department staff have been amped up as health officials prepare for higher presentations after the Royal Melbourne Hospital was forced to furlough hundreds of staff after a Shepparton man infected with Covid 19 underwent surgery last week. 

Emergency departments are now required to wear full PPE gear, along with N95 masks, gowns and eye protection while dealing with all patients in a bid to stop the spread to hospital staff.

Victoria's health networks have also re-instated pre-operative testing.

Concerned people are failing to get tested as soon as they experienced symptoms, the state's health officials are imploring people to get tested at the slightest symptom.

"Still in the realm of hauling this back,” Health Minister Martin Foley, said we remain on a precipice if Victorians don't start doing the right thing.

Further developments from the Department of Health will be revealed later in the day.

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